Immaculate Conception preschoolers spread warmth, kindness throughout the community

Students in Ronna Coventry’s pre-K and preschool classes at Immaculate Conception School are learning an important lesson: supporting the community that supports them.

Coventry said the community has long encouraged her students through donations for books and art supplies, letters sent to the classroom, and volunteers who visit to read to children — sometimes even dressing up as characters. She said teaching children to give back is a meaningful way to show appreciation while helping them understand kindness, service and gratitude.

One of the classes’ biggest annual efforts is the Warming Tree project. Students brought in hats, gloves, scarves, socks and underwear to decorate a classroom tree with cold-weather items to donate to those in need. Members of Dennison Knights of Columbus Council 576 donated 24 new coats.

The children helped pack the coats with matching hats, gloves and socks, and with assistance from Matt Ritzert and others, the sets were distributed to children at a homeless shelter, the food pantry and local families. Additional items were counted, boxed and delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution.

“As part of our learning we discussed how some people do not have enough money to have a new coat or other items to keep them warm,” Coventry said. “We talked about how it is important to help others and not expect anything in return.”

The students also made paper ornaments and mailed them to shut-ins in the area in hopes of brightening their day.

Another major project includes making and mailing close to 300 cards for veterans and active-duty military service members. The children walked to the Dennison Post Office to mail the cards and learn what happens to mail after it is placed in a mailbox.

The students also took part in a holiday tradition connected to the Dennison Railroad Depot. The preschoolers, along with third-graders, walked to the depot to mail letters to Santa while visiting the Christmas displays. During the visit, the children sang for passersby.

A few days later, Taylur Cunningham of the Depot Museum delivered a letter from Santa to the class. Cunningham told the students she delivered their letters to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express and that Santa asked her to bring back a message for the children. Coventry said the students were excited as Cunningham read the letter and handed out candy canes.

Immaculate Conception School supports additional community outreach throughout the year. Students collect items for the Twin City Christian Service Center and sponsor jeans days to raise money for local causes. The school also participates in the Christmas Parade and Light Up Dennison, featuring a Live Nativity and performances by the Ava Maria Choir.

Coventry said the projects help reinforce a simple message: caring for others and supporting the community should be shown through action, not just words.