Opportunity School dresses up Main Street
Students and staff members of the Opportunity School collaborated together on their first annual community service project called Dress Up Main Street.
Because of COVID, the students have not been able to participate in a community service project outdoors this year. However, that changed when Diana McKee saw a picture that inspired a project idea that would allow students and staff to be outdoors, give to others in the community, and allow social distancing to be practiced.
McKee shared how she read about jackets being hung around trees in Bulgaria and Hungary during the winter months so those in need can take a jacket and keep warm. She thought it was a great idea and presented it to her bosses. Once everyone was on board, the project got underway.
Donations of new and gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves and socks were collected via drop off centers at the Opportunity School and the Department of Job and Family Services. Nikko’s Dry-cleaning donated hangers and plastic bags for the clothes to be placed in and hung on. Students and staff packaged the clothing items, wrote details about the items, such as the size of the jackets, on pieces of paper and attached them to the coats. Then, students and staff met in the afternoon on Dec. 7 and dressed up Main Street with the donated items.
A total of 96 coats varying in sizes were donated, and Main Street was lined with coats hanging from the trees for community members to take as desired.
According to McKee, each jacket had socks stuffed in the sleeves as well as either a pair of gloves, a scarf or a hat, and some coats had all of the extras included. “Anyone in need, or anyone who wanted the items can take them,” said McKee.
McKee explained the project was designed to help teach the students responsibility as well how good it feels to give to others.
Amber Jones Centrs, a student at the Opportunity School, said she enjoyed the project. “It was nice. We got to help people who maybe couldn’t afford a coat, or who this year has been really hard on, or some who don’t have the money at Christmas,” she said.
The students and staff have decided to make this an annual event. McKee shared the goal for future years is for there to be more participation, more donations, and she would love to be able to get the shops on Main Street involved too.
Category: Education, Multimedia, Photo Galleries
