Rich Hill FCCLA "Keeping Children Warm"

 

Lesli Fletcher, a social worker student at Pittsburg State University, has asked the Rich Hill FCCLA to take part in her project, “Keeping Children Warm.” This is the time of year in which FCCLA students start their STAR events. Kendra Larimore, FCCLA Rich Hill High School vice president, was happy to participate in Lesli’s project. Kendra shares an equal passion for our local foster children. She stated, “I love what she’s doing and it hits close to home. I have aunts who are foster parents.” Lesli encouraged Kendra, when she brought an ornamented box to Mrs. Popplewell, the advisor of Rich Hill FCCLA, so FCCLA could help her collect donations. Kendra became very proactive in creating ways to assemble donations. She did this by placing an additional box in the nurse’s office, writing letters and handing them out to staff, giving letters to local elementary students to take them home to their parents, and sending additional letters to local churches.

In Missouri, there are over 10,000 children placed into foster care each year. Due to the lack of funds available, some of these children do not always receive adequate amounts of winter clothing. You can contribute by donating to this project. There is a box in Mrs. Popplewell’s classroom and the nurse’s office, located at Rich Hill High School. The clothing must be new or gently used; no stains or holes. Enthusiastically, Kendra stated, “I don’t see this as giving back to the community; I see this as helping people when they need it. That’s what FCCLA is all about, helping people, and I plan to help and get as many people involved as possible.”