Elementary Students Make the Holidays Brighter at Children's Hospital

   WHO:     Prospect Elementary School Third-Grade Class
   WHAT:    Book buying event for children at Children's Hospital
   WHERE:   Barnes and Noble book store, downtown location
   WHEN:    Tuesday, December 20, 2005
   CONTACT: Maureen Fischer, instructor at Prospect Elementary, 412-488-4680

In the holiday spirit of sharing and helping others, a third-grade class at Prospect Elementary School, Mount Washington, decided to raise money in order to purchase books to donate to Children's Hospital.

"The reason we raised money is so that we can buy books for kids at Children's Hospital. This is the time of year to give gifts to others, and this is a pretty cool gift! When there aren't any good videos to watch, the kids there will be able to read a really good book!" said 9-year-old Diondre Farris. "Sometimes it gets boring there, so this will give them something else to do."

The instructor, Maureen Fischer, contacted Sue Kapusta, General Manager of Community Affairs at United States Steel Corporation, to see if they would be interested in partnering with her class in a program she developed to encourage reading and good citizenship.

"We were very pleased to respond to her request," said Sue Kapusta. "Not only does this effort instill in children the true meaning of Christmas, but also teaches them the value of reading and community spirit."

U.S. Steel agreed to sponsor the students by donating $1.00 for every book the students read in a 3-week period. The students, Mrs. Fischer, and Mrs. Kapusta will meet at the Downtown Barnes and Noble, where they will make personal selections to donate to Children's Hospital. 8-year-old Taylor Stadelman said, "If I was in Children's Hospital on Christmas, and a class gave us new books, I would be surprised!" Added 9-year-old John Tucker, "It makes me feel great because I can help make another kid happy if he can't be home on Christmas!"

In addition to the books, wrapped courtesy of Barnes and Noble, the students designed hand-made Christmas cards to enclose with their gift packages. "I hope you enjoy reading this book," wrote Miranda Piccolino, aged 8. "Maybe by the time you're done reading it, it will be time to go home!"

A representative from Children's Hospital will accept the gift packages on behalf of the kids there.

PRNewswire -- Dec. 19

SOURCE: Prospect Elementary School

Web site: http://www.ussteel.com/

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