North Bellmore second graders help make birthdays special

Second graders received the gift of giving at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. On Dec. 21, they embarked on a charitable endeavor to support other children on Long Island.

With the help of teachers and parent volunteers, students put together birthday boxes for a Hicksville-based nonprofit, Birthday Wishes. The organization provides children and their families with supplies to host a birthday party. 

Dinkelmeyer second graders wrapped large boxes and then filled them with all of the necessary party items including cups, plates, napkins, decorations and juice boxes. Each box also included three presents – glitter glue and two board games. 

The idea was spearheaded by second grade parent Kimberly Cassara. Students from Jennifer Kafka’s, Stephanie Meehan’s, Alexa Rossi’s and Ellen Tournour’s classes came together in the cafeteria after lunch to create the birthday boxes. The initiative captured the giving spirit of the holiday spirit and students left with a sense of fulfillment. 

 

Photo captions:

1: John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School second grade teacher Ellen Tournour helped students pack a box with birthday party supplies on Dec. 21 for a donation to a Long Island nonprofit organization, Birthday Wishes.

2: Katherine and Amelia Cassara, whose mother spearheaded the charitable initiative for second graders, showed some of the items that would be included in the birthday boxes.

3: Olivia Doodmauth and Michael Murphy worked together to wrap a box that would hold birthday supplies. 

 

Photos courtesy of the North Bellmore School District