Fourteen members of Sno-King School Retirees (SKSR) assisted the Washington Kids in Transition organization by bagging approximately 2,000 snack-food bags in 90 minutes on Saturday, January 5th. The snack bagswere packed with a salty item, a sweet item and a granola bar. These bags for homeless students provide some food that the students may not have access to until they return to school the fol- lowing day. They receive the bags on 13 dedicated school buses that transport them to the place where they will spend the night. SKSR members donated $770 to purchase the items.
SKSR member Judy Hewitt, “This particular community service project is one that is near and dear to teachers’ hearts because they know how important nutrition and general well-being are to their students’ ability to learn. Although we are retired, we educa- tors never lose the desire to make the world a better place for students, and this is one way that we can accomplish that collectively.”
Member Marilyn Irwin, who helped on the project, said, “I’m staggered by the large and growing need in the Edmonds School District. So many people are working hard to turn the trend toward homelessness around, but no progress is being made. The number keeps increasing. Although we did a teeny, tiny bit to put a short-term band aid on the problem this Saturday, dramatic, all-encompassing changes are needed to solve the homeless problem. I’m hopeful our participation was a value to some child’s life, and I’m sure in a small way it was. Our participation was equally valuable to each of us who was working. We were educated about the homeless children’s numbers and needs in Edmonds School District and, of course, people feel good when they are helpful. Isn’t that one of the reasons we were teachers?”
Front Row-L to R: Annette Roberts, Pauline LeWarne, Priscilla Strand, Lynda Hughes, Marilyn Irwin, Barbara Smith, Jennifer Cobb. Back Row-L to R: Jim Siscel, Marlene Johnson, Donna Murrish, Pat Cornwell, Jan Phillips, Virg Rayton, Judy Hewitt
SKSR member Judy Hewitt, “This particular community service project is one that is near and dear to teachers’ hearts because they know how important nutrition and general well-being are to their students’ ability to learn. Although we are retired, we educa- tors never lose the desire to make the world a better place for students, and this is one way that we can accomplish that collectively.”
Member Marilyn Irwin, who helped on the project, said, “I’m staggered by the large and growing need in the Edmonds School District. So many people are working hard to turn the trend toward homelessness around, but no progress is being made. The number keeps increasing. Although we did a teeny, tiny bit to put a short-term band aid on the problem this Saturday, dramatic, all-encompassing changes are needed to solve the homeless problem. I’m hopeful our participation was a value to some child’s life, and I’m sure in a small way it was. Our participation was equally valuable to each of us who was working. We were educated about the homeless children’s numbers and needs in Edmonds School District and, of course, people feel good when they are helpful. Isn’t that one of the reasons we were teachers?”
Front Row-L to R: Annette Roberts, Pauline LeWarne, Priscilla Strand, Lynda Hughes, Marilyn Irwin, Barbara Smith, Jennifer Cobb. Back Row-L to R: Jim Siscel, Marlene Johnson, Donna Murrish, Pat Cornwell, Jan Phillips, Virg Rayton, Judy Hewitt
Our two assembly lines.