Nickels, nails and a warm welcome
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on March 4, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Katie Wagner, 10, signs her name on a banner made by Eastern Wayne Elementary Student Council for the Greene family, who are recent recipients of a Habitat for Humanity home and will be coming to their school next year. In addition to the banner, the students are also raising money to help build another Habitat for Humanity house.
Kate Wagner stood on her tiptoes and leaned her body onto the desk.
She gripped a fat Crayola marker firmly and concentrated as she formed each letter.
Her name was one of hundreds on the bright yellow banner in the art room.
"Welcome Home, Love Eastern Wayne Elementary" it reads.
At the end of the month, the banner will be attached to the front porch of Takesha Greene's Habitat for Humanity home.
Pam Taylor, the Eastern Wayne Elementary art teacher, has orchestrated the signing of the banner. She says there will be 800 signatures on it by the time it is done.
"We want to welcome home our new family," she said.
Ms. Greene's three younger sons will attend Eastern Wayne next school year.
To welcome the family, the staff and students of Eastern Wayne have participated in a month-long Nickels for Nails coin fundraiser.
Colorful signs hang in each hallway marking the fundraising process by filling up a nail.
The halls are competing to reach their goal of $100. Hall A has already accomplished its goal.
Three tool boxes sit in the front office so students can drop off change on their way to class in the morning. They are reminded about the competition each morning on the announcements.
The money will go to buying supplies. The children are too young to work at the build site, but that does not mean they cannot help out. Habitat for Humanity builders must be 16 years old.
Beth Rose, Habitat for Humanity director of external relations, has been impressed by the success of the first Wayne County Schools Nickels for Nails drive.
"A lot of people say I'm too old, or my back hurts, but not these kids, they're ready to help," she said.
She is a huge believer in mission work.
The competition ends on Friday. So far, the students have raised a little more than $200.
"It's a wonderful opportunity," Ms. Taylor said.
Student Council President Caleb Gray, a fifth-grader at the school, has helped with the banner and the Nickels for Nails fundraiser.
He is excited for the new students, and recommends they test out the playground during recess, his favorite thing to do at Eastern Wayne.
"We're going to give them a warm welcome and welcome them happily," he said.