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Students Raise Thousands For Wheelchair Foundation

This story borrowed in it’s entirety from NBC15.com. The original post can be read by clicking here.

CHANGE+THE+WORLDStudents at Northside Elementary in Monroe say they just wanted to do something to spread kindness.

Thousands of dollars later, they’re impacting the lives of people all over the world.

“The students are more than eager to help change the world and be involved and it’s so great to see them happy and wanting to help.”

Changing the world. It’s something educators at Northside Elementary have been encouraging students to do throughout the entire school year.

“It’s about creating people that we’re proud of, that go on and carry on with kindness and being great citizens,” explains Principal Amy Timmerman.

A group of 4th and 5th graders have now gone above and beyond that challenge.

“During our recesses, we’ve been making bracelets so we can raise money for a foundation called The Wheelchair Foundation,” says Madisyn Brandt, a 4th grader.

It’s an organization with local ties, that provides wheelchairs to people all over the world. The students have been selling these bracelets for $6 a piece. They’ve already raised more than $2,500.

“We are at 17 wheelchairs, so that’s quite a lot of money that the students have raised,” says school counselor, Monica Ayers.

And even though they’ve already met their original goal, they’re going to keep going.

“It makes me feel happy and proud that people appreciate what we’re doing and I hope that they realize that there’s good money going towards this foundation,” Brandt explains.

Proof that school is more than just a place to learn reading, writing, and math.

“To see where it’s gone this year, there are no words for it, and how students give up their recesses and this is what they’re thinking about. Proud doesn’t even cover it.”

If you would like to help these students reach their goal, click here.

 

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Students Get a Glimpse of Life in a Wheelchair

This article borrowed from the San Ramon Patch article published on Oct. 16, 2013 by Jane McInnis (Editor)
 

Understanding the difficulty of getting around in a wheelchair has been a hands-on lesson for students at Montevideo Elementary.

Last week, Montevideo Elementary’s physical education classes were a little different from norm: rather than ball being played on the courts, wheelchair obstacle courses became the main activity.

The school participated in the Wheelchair Foundation program, a charity organization rgar raises money for wheelchair distribution worldwide while fostering perspective to younger students who live without disabilities.

“For us it’s a whole different world,” said fifth-grader Shrena Sudhakar, 10, who participated in the program.

Schools across San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and Pleasanton participated in the fundraiser this year.

Last week, students took turns riding and guiding classmates in red wheelchairs around an obstacle course set up by P.E. instructor Michelle Cabrita.

[See Michelle Cabrita’s video about the project on the school website here.]

Cones proved tricky for students to maneuver around on their own, often being knocked over or caught under the wheelchair.

“I tell the students the cones represent maybe a big rock or a pot hole in the road,” Cabrita said, helping students imagine the obstacles others have to overcome.

After the lesson, students talked about how much work it took to get around in the wheelchairs.

“It changed my perspective because I thought you could just zoom around places fast [in a wheelchair], but it took me so long just to get to the half-way point,” said Zaid Fattah, 10.

“I never want to do it again in my life because my arms ache,” said Kavya Anand, 10.

To see more photos and videos of the program at Montevideo Elementary, click here.

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