CGS teachers and staff continue to “Give Back to the Community”

<p class="p1">Teachers and staff at Chester Grade School have been giving back to the community for two and a half years in many ways.

<p class="p1">The teaching aspect of their "giving back" is obvious as all teachers and staff are very caring, dedicated and directed toward giving the best education to the children in their care.

<p class="p1">In the 2013-2014 school year the teachers and staff at CGS began giving back to the community "literally" via a teacher-led program titled, "Positive Give Back to the Community."

<p class="p1">One of the major creators of this project is junior high science teacher, Joann Meyer, who coordinates the monthly "give back" events.

<p class="p1">On the first Wednesday of each month the teachers and staff can voluntarily pay $5 to the "give back" program for the right to wear jeans to work.

<p class="p1">"When we wear jeans we explain to the students that we are doing it with permission and that the $5 we donate to the "give back "fund for the right to wear jeans goes to a different charity or worthy individual each month," Meyer said.

<p class="p1">"It is important to educate the kids regarding the importance of giving back to the community in which they live."

<p class="p1">In the 2013-2014 school year, the teachers and staff at CGS donated $2125.50 to local charities and individuals/entities in need.

<p class="p1">Last school year, 2014-2015, a total of $2,769.00 was donated for a grand total of $4,894.50.

<p class="p1">This year, the amount donated totaled $3,166.0, making the grand total for the three-year program at $8, 060.50.

<p class="p1">Some of the initial donations at the onset of the program included the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry; Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; Lions Club; Chester Senior Center; The Angel Fund; The Sparta Animal Clinic for shots and care for unfortunate animals; Wee Care Program in Jacob Illinois for school supplies; Chester High School Project Graduation; The National M.S. Society in honor of former CGS teacher, Deb Guebert; and the Chandler Family.

<p class="p1">Organizer, Joan Meyer was very proud to bring the "Give Back" program to CGS again this fall of 2015-2016.

<p class="p1">This year's first "Jean's Day" was Wednesday September 2. The selected charity was St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and $300 was raised and donated.

<p class="p1">In October of 2015, the program dedicated its earnings to the Pete Hittmeier Family. Pete is a former Chester Grade School teacher, who has been battling an illness and his daughter, Jennifer, has been battling cancer for some time.

<p class="p1">The "Give Back" Jeans Day raised $335.50 to help the Hittmeier's with their medical expenses.

<p class="p1">The November Jean's Day at CGS was dedicated to a current CGS custodian, Donna Jany, who is battling cancer.

<p class="p1">She had surgery and had to miss work at CGS during numerous hospitalizations and treatments. The program donated $470 to Ms. Jany to assist her in her time of need.

<p class="p1">Finally, in December of 2015, the "Positive Give Back to the Community" Jeans Day program raised closed out the year with money which was raised and donated to the Memorial Hospital of Chester Tree of Lights campaign.

<p class="p1">This year the Tree of Lights effort was to used to purchase trauma lights for the emergency room at the Chester facility. Contributions totaled $272.

<p class="p1">For the first half of the 2015-2016 school year the teachers and staff at CGS raised $1,377.50, which was donated to charitable entities via the "positive Give Back to the Community" program.

<p class="p1">Along with $2,125.50 donated in 2013-2014 and $2,769.00 donated in 2014-2015, the Jean's Day activity raised and donated $6,272 to worthy charities and individuals in need by the end of the first semester.

<p class="p1">The recipient of "Jeans Day" donations in January of 2016 was the Lions Club which serves numerous school children each with the provision of reading glasses.

<p class="p1">In February, teachers and staff raised $278 to the local Chester Senior Center which provides daily meals to seniors throughout the community.

<p class="p1">In March, the money was donated to the Angel Fund which is associated with the Sparta Animal Clinic for shots and care for needy pets.

<p class="p1">An added attraction this year was the opportunity for participants at CGS to win a free turkey by taking part in the monthly activity.

<p class="p1">Mrs. Meyer's pet cat, Mountain Lion, donated a frozen turkey for the raffle. CGS Principal Tim Lochhead agreed to the stipulation that if the February 2016 donations surpassed the February 2015 donations, he would throw in an extra jeans day for the teachers and staff.

<p class="p1">The total raised this year was $510, which was the most raised during one single month.

<p class="p1">With state budget cuts and difficulties faced by the Chester Senior Center this year, the teachers chose to donate money ($302) raised in April to the Chester Senior Center for the second time.

<p class="p1">The final "Give Back to the Community" donation for the school year was the May donation of $450, which was given to Chester School District employee Ron Holley who has been battling medical issues this year.

<p class="p1">All total, the "Give Back Program" raised and donated a total of $3,166 to worthy recipients in the community this school year.

<p class="p1">For the three-year project, the grand total raised and donated was $8,060.50.