The Cedar Springs High School Student Community Service program received a “Kids Care Week 2010” mini-grant in the amount of $250 to implement a service project to celebrate Kids Care Week, which was October 17-23.

The theme was “make your mark on the world: go the extra mile.” Organizations around the country learned about the 33 honorees represented by this national monument in Washington, DC, and developed their projects around the honorees’ social issues.  Inspired by The Extra Mile –Points of Light Volunteer Pathway Honoree, Wallace Campbell, Cedar Springs High School Student Volunteers will create care packages for senior citizens to be delivered with senior meals in time for the holidays, via North Kent Community Services. Students will be hosting a “packing party” in November to assemble the gifts.

“The packing party is a great way to expose students to the world of volunteering, meet new friends and offer them a way to help someone in need,” says Sheri Whipple, CSHS community service coordinator. “The grant will provide funds to purchase extra items that we may not receive through donations.”

Students are collecting donations of personal care items, such as shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, hard candy or other new, small gifts.  Items may be dropped off at any Cedar Springs Public School building through November 10.

Kids Care Week, a program of generationOn, in partnership with Hasbro Children’s Fund, awarded 200 mini-grants.