Sixth-graders at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School help load a truck with donations for Calvary Home for Children in Anderson, South Carolina, on Thursday, December 12. Pictured (L-R) are Kenna Bilbrey of Otto, NC, Abby Hartridge of Clayton, GA, Annie Davis of Lakemont, GA, Cassidy Klimasewski of Rabun Gap, GA, Zoey Weems of Tallulah Falls, GA, Santi Robles of Franklin, NC, Coby Bloedow of Highlands, NC, Hannah Demmler of Rabun Gap, GA, and Abigail Brenner of Franklin, NC.
It’s the season for giving and students in Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s Lower and Middle Schools have been doing just that. They spent weeks ordering and gathering donations for Calvary Home for Children in Anderson, South Carolina, which provides foster care for abused and neglected children.
The Lower School took a unique approach to this year’s gift-giving. Students took QR codes home to their parents to order items online from the children’s home’s wish list. After the order was placed, the student colored in a gingerbread house.
“Our students have created a fictional Christmas village in the stairwell of the Lower School to represent the community of homes at Calvary Home for Children,” says Head of the Lower School Renee Rogers. “Helping our students visualize the village of people and supplies it takes to help care for children allowed them to see the part that they can play in positively impacting other children’s lives.”
In the Middle School, students spent weeks piling supplies and toys next to a Christmas tree. Among the many donated items were strollers and two full-size soccer goals.
“This is such a meaningful and important community service project for the students at our school,” says Middle School science teacher and Experiential Education Coordinator Johnathan BySura. “What we saw here at the school was only half of the total contributions, as much was sent directly to Calvary for their new baby house.”
On Thursday, December 12, a representative from Calvary Home visited the Rabun Gap campus to collect the donated items.
Laura Lindsley spoke to the students during chapel. She said that the gifts make a big impact on the children in the home and are a way that God shows his faithfulness and love to them. Lindsley then asked the Rabun Gap students to take time during this season and throughout the next year to reflect on God’s goodness to them.
