February 8, 2018

PACS Students Donate Handmade Blankets to Local Law Enforcement

When visiting the Prince Avenue Christian School lower school hallways in recent weeks, teachers, students, and parents may have noticed the third-grade classes busy working on what may have seemed like a simple craft project. In reality, the knotted felt blankets the students have been making will serve a much greater purpose. The handmade blankets will be donated to local law enforcement officials to provide comfort to children in emergency situations.

Third-grade teacher Sue Nell Smeltzer explained, “After Christmas, as our students were sharing about their breaks, we talked about how blessed we are and that there are other children who do not have what we have.” It was through this discussion that the students expressed a desire to do something to help their community. “It came to our attention through a local law enforcement officer that there is often a need for comfort items for children who are experiencing difficult or scary situations,” Mrs. Smeltzer said. “The kids loved the idea of fleece tag tied blankets.”

Each third-grade class collectively made four blankets to total 12 blankets donated. Mrs. Smeltzer described the compassion the students displayed as they made the blankets. “Making the blankets helped students feel they were helping, and the discussions while working on them was fascinating. We did not stress sad situations, only that there are people in need. Law enforcement officers encounter them more often than we do, and the blankets will be a definite help.”

The third-grade students were blessed with a visit from two officers who are also Prince parents. Deputy Josh Long with Gwinnett County and Sargent Jon Yarbrough with Winder City received the blankets the students made and explained that the blankets will be a comfort to children in emergency situations in the community. They talked about their duties as police officers and reminded the students that law enforcement officials are helpers and children should not fear them.

Volunteer Service is an important aspect of discipleship throughout a student's education at PACS.  Ben Wallis, Director of Spiritual Life explains, “The modeling of Christ-like behavior in the form of volunteer service reinforces the knowledge and theoretical concepts heard in the classroom and chapel services. At Prince, we feel that our main responsibility is to prepare our students for the journey that God has before them in life. Serving others is part of that journey.”

 

Pictured left to right:
Front Row- 3rd grade students Chloe Merritt and Taylor Lord
Back Row – Deputy Josh L0ng and Sargent Jon Yarbrough