November 20, 2009 - At this time of year, when so many are giving thanks, the students at Maplewood Elementary School continue to deliver acts of kindness for the betterment of others.

At their monthly character education assembly, the results of their month-long food drive were unveiled. Their goal was to bring in 500 cans of food. The students surpassed that number by a wide margin, bringing in 580 cans of food that will be donated to a local food pantry. The students counted aloud the remaining cans that needed to be tallied, getting louder and louder with each passing number. They filled the gymnasium with a roar of applause when the final can was counted.

Photos: (Top) Maplewood fifth grade students stand behind 580 cans of food.

All items will be donated to a local food pantry.

(Left) A giant thermometer, drawn by first grade teacher, Mr. McNamara, designed to illustrate the amount of canned goods the students were donating.

“It’s really amazing,” Maplewood Principal, Jerry Steele said. “They (the students) had a goal and did a tremendous job in attaining it.”

The students wasted no time getting started on next month’s project. Throughout the rest of November and December, Maplewood students will be selling “Make-a-Wish Angels”. All money that is raised will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.