January 18, 2018
Every year, MPA Lower School students contribute to various community service projects. One project that has become a familiar tradition at MPA is the Birthday Box program. This program provides a box of birthday essentials for children who are celebrating birthdays in less fortunate situations. These gift boxes, decorated by all grades of the Lower School, will be packed with cake mix, frosting, candles, books, toys, and handmade birthday cards. Collecting more than $1,200 in change this year, the students are sending 80 Birthday Boxes to Emma’s Place, a social services organization in Maplewood.
The first and second graders were the leaders of the Birthday Box project this year in cohesion with the CHAMP program. Last week, Lower School students donated money to purchase items for the boxes. But the interesting component was that each day required a specific coin: pennies on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday, and dollars on Friday. In seeing these small amounts add up, students realized that even a small helping hand can make a big difference. Cheers erupted at the CHAMP assembly today when the total amount raised was announced.
During the CHAMP assembly, the Lower School gathered together to build and decorate the boxes. Regardless their grade, students worked together on the designs and writing thoughtful cards. “You rock! I hope your birthday is as special as you!” they read.
