For the past 17 years, students in the Churchville-Chili Senior High School Functional Life Skills classes have made handcrafted holiday decorations. Their efforts have raised more than $13,000 for neighborhood community organizations. This year, 120 merry little Santa Claus sock craft decorations were cheerfully created, sold and delivered, with the proceeds – about $765 – going to ROC the Dogs Rescue, a local animal shelter. Along the way, students practiced interpersonal communication skills and learned new writing, financial, measurement and math proficiencies, plus skills needed for employment, like following directions and quality control.
“The holiday craft project gives students an opportunity to apply the life and employment skills we learn and practice in the classroom,” said classroom teaching assistant Tracey Allchin. “Students follow instructions, measure, cut patterns and sew. They learn how to collaborate with coworkers and work together toward a goal.”
The project is supported by generous teachers and staff who look forward to ordering the handmade, rice-filled decorations every year. Students keep track of online orders, manage materials and inventory, correspond with customers, collect payment, make change, and deliver the finished products with smiles and thanks.
Students researched ten different local nonprofits and voted to support ROC the Dogs Rescue (https://www.rocthedogsrescue.com/) which provides sanctuary to homeless pets and helps them find forever homes. They hope to present the shelter with several items from the organization’s wish list, along with a check later in January.
Since the project began in 2005, Life Skills classes, led by teacher Margaret Brongo, have crafted a variety of charming elves, mice, penguins, reindeer and polar bears from socks and rice. Proceeds from the project have gone to Golisano Children’s Center, Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Honor Flight, Make a Wish, Lollypop Farm, The American Red Cross and the School of the Holy Childhood, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Camp Smile, The Dream Factory, Gigi’s Playhouse, Homesteads for Hope and the Willie Bee Foundation.
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