Fourth-graders at Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf display fleece tie blankets they made for Closet2Closet in Rock Island, Ill.
For The Catholic Messenger
BETTENDORF — Fourth-grade students at Lourdes Catholic School, led by teacher Elizabeth Sieren, launched a service project to brighten foster children’s lives.
Sieren learned about Project Jack through a family friend. “It was great coming together as a class and working together to do something that is much bigger than us. The students really enjoyed the whole process of making the blankets and working together as a team.”
Project Jack honors Jack Lindaman, a Quad-City-area student who passed away at age 6 in 2010 after battling spinal muscular atrophy. His family created the initiative by donating leftover memorial funds to his classmates at Alan Shepard Elementary in Eldridge. The program expanded in 2016. Project Jack invites students to “pay it forward” to help others in the local community.
Returning from spring break, the Lourdes class transformed energy into action. A $250 Project Jack grant from the REALTOR Foundation of Iowa powered their efforts. The students brainstormed different ideas but ultimately chose to support Closet2Closet in Rock Island, Illinois. That organization provides foster children with current trend, age appropriate clothes and personal items, according to the organization’s website.
Students collected underwear, wrote encouraging cards and made fleece tie blankets. Colin C. said, “The service project was hard, but worthwhile.” Amaya C. agreed. “It was tedious and hard work, but it was still touching knowing that it was going to kids in foster care.”
Ben N. said, “Not every kid has the things that we have. It was great to give them things they need.” Lucas G. added, “It was great because I always have wanted to help out the people in my community.”
On March 27, the students and their teacher delivered their donations during an event attended by Project Jack representatives.
