Over the course of three weeks, Redmond’s Montessori Children’s House (MCH), an American Montessori Society accredited school, collected basic needs supplies for Hopelink, a non-profit that serves families on the Eastside.
All MCH students and families participated in the collection drive. Elementary students kept track of donations using hundred-square based tally sheets. Students publicized the drive, organized the collection center, sorted donations, packed boxes, labeled the boxes, loaded the rental truck (donated by Guardwell Storage) and unloaded it at Hopelink’s largest warehouse in Kirkland on Dec. 13.
“With student-led teams and multiple opportunities to work, we noticed a beautiful trend,” said Elementary Program director and lead teacher, Nicole Champoux. “Students who struggle academically emerged as the most effective and reliable team members; they were some of our most eager and consistent volunteers. They approached the work with cheerful confidence that inspired others to work harder. They experienced a sense of belonging and purpose that sometimes seems a little bit too elusive for them during regular classroom time.”
MCH students worked in diverse teams, practicing how to communicate, how to take natural leadership roles and how to follow someone else’s lead. They were always willing and cheerful and eager to work hard.
• Here is a final count of items collected and delivered to Hopelink:
60 hats
17 pairs of gloves
35 scarves
• Baby supplies:
1,680 diapers
5,914 wipes
11 ounces of formula
Two containers of baby powder
40 ounces of baby body wash
• Hygiene and personal care items:
899 fluid ounces of shampoo and conditioner
154 fluid ounces of liquid hand soap
225 bars of soap
80 ounces of shaving cream
365 fluid ounces of body wash
530 yards of dental floss
250 ounces of toothpaste
74 toothbrushes
1,225 Q-tips
83 deodorants
95 tampons
194 pads
184 razors
43 hairbrushes
114 bandages
• Household items:
2,132 fluid ounces of dish soap
779 fluid ounces of laundry detergent
4,197 tissues
1,283 plastic zip-top bags of various sizes
250 fabric softener dryer sheets
221 rolls of paper towels
318 rolls of toilet paper
46 ounces of scrub cleaner
128 ounces of bleach
120 ounces of cleaning spray
Montessori Children’s House students and their families held a collection drive at the Redmond school over the last three weeks. Courtesy of Montessori Children’s House
