Keene Mill Elementary School began its annual Helping Games on March 9, with students competing in teams to collect donations for charity.
The event aims to teach students important values such as empathy, responsibility, and teamwork while supporting local non-profit organizations. The month-long competition divides the school community into four teams that compete to do the most good through weekly drives and activities.
Students have already collected canned goods and books for organizations including ECHO, Northern Virginia Family Services, and Read on Young Readers. In the coming weeks, they will participate in a shoe drive and a “Change for Change” fundraiser benefiting the World Wildlife Fund. Keene Mill’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) provides volunteers to help organize and sort donations.
School-Based Technology Specialist Brian Lachance said, “That competitive piece keeps driving them to motivate each other to do better; to do more.” Sixth grade student J.J. added, “Everyone just wants to win, so they donate as much as they can.”
The team with the most points will be recognized during the Chalk4Kindness event on April 22, Earth Day. The winning team will create chalk art in a prominent area of the school grounds. Over nine years of Helping Games at Keene Mill Elementary School, students have donated nearly 17,000 canned goods, over 30,000 books, and more than $11,000 to various charities.
Principal Linda Peace said participating in the competition helps students become ethical citizens: “It’s important that you are a good citizen and a good person. I’m going to teach you how to read and how to do math, but I also need you to know when your friend falls, stop, ask them if they are okay, and pick them up.”
As this year’s Helping Games continue at Keene Mill Elementary School, students remain motivated by both friendly rivalry and their desire to help others.
