Students learn the beauty of giving

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 20, 2004
Madeline Griffin, a second-grader at Poplar Springs Elementary School, said she believes it is important to help her community because "we all live here and we need to help each other."
Griffin, along with students from Crestwood Elementary, Kate Griffin Junior High and Marion Park schools, donated vegetables they grew in a community garden project to LOVE's Kitchen, which provides meals to needy residents in the Meridian area.
The project began in October.
In addition to learning about giving, students researched soil preparation, planting dates and planting materials. Materials for the garden were donated by the Pine Ridge Landfill, the Lauderdale County Extension Service, the Mississippi University Extension Service Office, Lauderdale County Farm Supply, Master Gardeners and others.
The garden project functioned as an interactive service-learning project and was associated with the Character Education Program. The project was awarded a $400 Community Pride grant by ChevronTexaco Co.
Claire McCraw, a second-grader at Poplar Springs Elementary, said she learned that even kids can grow a garden.
Cindy Burt, coordinator of the Character Education Program in the Meridian Public School District, said the students learned valuable lessons.
Students also learned that there are many hungry people in our area.
Another Poplar Springs student, Pearson Kelly, said he had fun watching the vegetables grow and he learned "that it helps us all when we help each other."