By Kim Mesman, Kindergarten Teacher
What started as a small goal to teach students to be in prayer for our community servants (firefighters, police officers, health care workers, and government officials) turned into a year-long service project for all four Kindergarten classes!
One of Ontario Christian’s throughlines has to do with teaching and modeling to our students what a servant leader is and how to be one—to serve others according to what God calls us all to do as Christians in His world, to be his hands and feet and to shine brightly for Him, and to be in prayer and care for those around us.
This school year the Kindergarten classes at Ontario Christian did just that—praying, caring, and serving. We committed to praying daily for those who serve our communities, and we were able to bless our local policemen and firefighters with baskets of goodies to show them how much we love and appreciate them. This also included pictures and cards drawn and written by the Kindergartners!
The students and their families donated items to fill the “gratitude baskets”. We asked families to have the Kinders try to earn money by doing chores at home and for other family members (i.e. grandparents). Many of the kids did this and we’re so proud of being able to say they bought a gift card, box of chips, hand sanitizer, etc. with the money they earned.
Our local heroes came to talk to the students about their work and to receive their gifts from the Kindergarteners. They expressed their gratitude for their special baskets and for the prayers that were given on their behalf from the hearts of these precious 5 and 6-year-olds.
The Kindergartners learned a valuable lesson this year about serving/caring for others and being faithful in prayer. This was certainly a great year to start this service project, and we look forward to continuing this new tradition with future Kindergarten students.
