Long Meadow Elementary School Students Hold Holiday Fundraiser to Benefit St. Vincent DePaul of Waterbury

 Long Meadow Elementary School 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students have been busy little elves.  During the past few weeks, they have been working in the art room, making “clay pockets” to sell as a fundraiser to benefit the St. Vincent DePaul soup kitchen in Waterbury.

During the weeks of December 18 through 21 and January 2 through 5, LMES students will be selling their hand made “clay pockets” at a cost of $2 and $3 apiece.  All proceeds will go directly to the soup kitchen.

“Clay pockets” are small, low relief wall hangings with a tiny pocket or pouch in the front, designed to hold small objects such as candy, keys, paperclips, stamps, etc.  “They make a perfect gift for those hard to buy for people on your holiday shopping list,” said LMES Art Teacher, Louise Porter-Hahn.

“Most of us are fortunate enough to have enough to eat,” said Porter Hahn.  “But, during the holiday season we become especially aware of people living right in and around our communities, who must look to the soup kitchen for a warm meal,” she explained.

St. Vincent DePaul of Waterbury is a non-profit organization, dedicated to eliminate the root causes of homelessness in the Greater Waterbury Area.  The organization runs a soup kitchen, shelter, thrift store and housing program.

 In addition to the “clay pockets”, LMES students and their families are gathering small toiletry items for the Safe Haven Shelter in Southbury.  The toiletries will be donated to families in crisis and living in the shelter.  Items needed include toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hand lotion, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes and more. 

“These small personal items help make a difficult adjustment go a bit smoother,” said Porter-Hahn.  “These activities always make the true meaning of giving and sharing so meaningful for our children.”