Students at Chicago Heights School District 170’s Kennedy School recently celebrated Red Nose Day in concert with others all across the world to help those in need.
Red Nose Day started in the United Kingdom in 1988 as part of an initiative by Comic Relief, a non- profit organization that uses comedy to raise money for disadvantaged people, particularly to help children living in poverty. Since its inception, Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion globally.
Red Nose Day was launched in the U.S. in 2015 and has since raised $60 million to benefit children and young people in all 50 states, as well as 25 countries.
Kennedy School Students celebrated Red Nose Day with the help of Barbara McCulley, (former principal of Grant School) who organized the activity. First graders from Mrs. Callie Dornhecker's class and fourth graders from Mrs. Angela Foushi's class enjoyed wearing red noses and relished the opportunity to teach others about children in poverty and how to make a difference by helping others.
"This was a special day!" Foushi said. "The students have seen the Red Noses on television and had a chance to be 'celebrities' for the day. It was a great teaching moment about the realities of children in need."
In addition to Red Nose Day, the fourth graders at Kennedy have spent the year participating in several service projects. They have supported children in Haiti and Uganda, participated in service projects for Wounded Warriors, conducted a toy drive, and raised $500.00 for the Leukemia Foundation.
"This was a wonderful way to end the school year,” Foushi noted. “The lessons learned in taking part in activities that help those in need will stay with our students for the rest of their lives."
McCulley explained her affiliation with Red Nose Day in this way: "Red Nose Day is sponsored by Walgreen's and supports hunger funds for children. My grandchildren and I always donate each year, and have had other friends and family join us for donations."
"This year, I donated to my daughter Lana's class at Jefferson School, and to my grandson John's class at Kennedy School and, since Mrs. Foushi is such a caring teacher who encourages her students to care and think about other, we included her class," she concluded.