Kids raise money for charity

DOWNEY - Students from the YMCA after-school program at Rio San Gabriel Elementary celebrated national Character Counts Week by donating more than $160 to PetSmart Charities.The children hosted a sale where they sold their own artwork and baked goods donated by their site director. They used the money to have a pizza party and make the donation. "The children could have easily asked their parents for money to have a pizza party, but they wanted to be responsible and earn their pizza party the fair way," said site director Katie Piazza. "The students were very caring when coming up with the idea to donate half of their earnings to help homeless animals. They also displayed traits of responsibility and trustworthiness by handling the money raised and selling their own artwork." Piazza said the Downey YMCA incorporates the Character Counts program and the "six pillars of character" into its daily curriculum The six pillars include trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, caring and citizenship.

********** Published: October 30, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 28

FeaturesEric Pierce