Washington School students will show kindness during February by collecting money for The United Way of Crookston for the fourth annual Feed The Bear fundraiser. Feed The Bear will occur at Washington School from February 1 to February 14.
Washington School students, over the next two weeks will be encouraged to bring pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to school and feed the bear. “Albert, the kindergarten bear is a big deal in our school,” said Washington School Principal Denice Oliver, “That’s why feeding the bear means more to our kids and gives them more motivation to bring their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.”
Every school day, the students will have the opportunity to go to the gymnasium and “Feed the Bear” with the money they brought from home. Albert is a transparent bear, and the students will be able to see how full he gets with each donation he receives.
The United Way of Crookston supports multiple programs throughout the area. Over twenty agencies benefit from the community’s donations to the United Way. “The united way of Crookston is always so generous in our community,” said Oliver, “One of the things they help Washington School with is what we call ‘The Dolly Parton Imagination Library’; it’s a program Dolly Parton (country singer) started in efforts to get books in the hands of kids.”
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides Washington School students and other children around the country with one book per month to a child until they reach the age of five. The foundation is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading books through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners.
“I love this one because it starts the idea of giving early,” said United Way of Crookston Executive Director Libby Boucher, “I think if you teach kids early on about philanthropy and giving whatever you can give, it makes a difference.”
When the fundraiser ends, the United Way of Crookston will be presented with a check from Washington School, and later this school year, Washington School will receive funds to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
