L’Anse Creuse High Fosters Relationship With Area Kids

L’Anse Creuse High School sophomore London Logan is aware of needs outside of her classroom.

She recently approached Julie Rickel, the high school’s community service learning coordinator, with a request to participate in the Children’s Duffel Bag Program. Under the initiative, the students make donations to area foster children.

“I’m glad that I have the opportunity to help people in need, especially peers," Logan said. "This makes me realize how grateful I am to have parents who care for me." 

Students will fill a total of at least 23 backpacks with age-appropriate toys, school supplies and basic necessity items to be donated to children in the Macomb County Foster Care Program, according to L’Anse Creuse Schools spokeswoman Paula Rose. 

An Opportunity to Give Back

L’Anse Creuse High School Art Teacher Maribeth Sonsara wanted to assign her students a community service learning project sometime this school year and saw this program as the right opportunity.

A total of 23 students in her fiber arts class participated in an abstract art lesson and each crafted two monster dolls made from various fabrics and foam then embellished with embroidery. Students took four weeks to complete the project and were offered the option to take one doll home to keep. Finished dolls will be included inside donated duffel bags.

Sonsara said, “I think it’s really neat for the kids to take abilities they learn in class and apply them to give back to the community. (The dolls) really do make you smile when you look at them. Why not share that with the community?”

Channeling Creativity for Community

This is the first year Sonsara lead the doll project in her classroom. In the future, she said that she would like to connect with a creative writing class at the school and assign those students the task of writing a short story about each crafted doll. A paper copy of each story would be folded up and tucked inside the pocket of each corresponding doll.

The high school is also giving local community members the chance to join in the effort. From now until May 13, the L’Anse Creuse High School Community Service Learning Office is accepting donations of new, unused backpacks, game books, school supplies, blankets and personal hygiene items for the program.

The school is at 38495 L’Anse Creuse Road in Harrison Township. Donations will be delivered to the Macomb County Department of Human Services. 

For more information, contact the high school at 586-783-6400 or visit www.lc-ps.org/Schools/LCHS.