PEORIA MAGAZINE November 2023

and packing food,” said Claire Crone, director of Sophia’s Kitchen. The students thoroughly enjoyed getting to see the different needs of the community up close and personal. Many expressed that they didn’t even think about how hard it would be to live without access to certain amenities they’re so used to, like a pair of shoes. According to one fifth grade student, “It’s fun that we actually get to do something that helps people. “It's also fun that we get to get out of school for a morning,” he said. GET OUT THE DUCT TAPE This year’s fundraising goal was $20,000. If students met that, they got to enjoy a celebration assembly after their morning of service. They exceeded their goal by more than $6,000. And that’s where the real fun began. If the students met their goal, Principal Martin promised them that they could vote on an activity that would include either sliming her, splatter-painting her, or duct-taping her to the gym wall. The overwhelming winner was duct taping her to the wall. At their final celebration to cap the two-week Help A-Thon, teachers, PTO volunteers, and the six students who raised the most funds used duct tape in school colors — yellow and blue. Speaking to the students from her position on the wall, Principal Martin expressed her delight at how much the students stepped up to the plate and took ownership of this initiative. “I am so proud of our Wildcat com munity. Because of you, we’ll all benefit from the outdoor classroom and people in the area will find support from the volunteer hours you gave.”

Students and staff from Reservoir Gifted Academy volunteer their class time to work bagging pet food for the Critter Meals on Wheels program at Neighborhood House

Katie Faley is a Peoria native — Notre Dame High, Class of 2013 — who moved away following college but returned with a fuller appreciation of her hometown. She works at OSF

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