(1888PressRelease)
July 08, 2009 - Clayton, NC - Some villagers in Haiti will now be able to carry rice and beans more easily and with less waste thanks to pillowcases sewn by Building Blocks Child Care and Development Center’s summer campers. The pillow cases will replace plastic bags that allow some of the food to be lost through holes in the bags. The activity took place during the center’s first week of Leap into Summer camp on June 15. The Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Building Blocks for the week and provided a place for the campers to sew.
“All Around the Town” was the theme for the first week of camp. The goal was to learn about people that help the community, from doctors to postal workers. The third, fourth and fifth graders were also given an opportunity to help sew pillowcases that will be shipped to Haiti. 15 out of the 25 participated. They helped a group of local citizens that travel to Haiti a few times a year to do missionary work and take food and medical supplies. Each camp participant made about four to five pillowcases, which totaled to about 60 pillowcases in all.
“The focus was people helping people. We wanted to show the children that anybody can help the community. You don’t have to be a doctor or a fire fighter to make a difference,” said Lisa Kyes, one of the directors at Building Blocks Child Care and Development Center.
“At the end of the week, we figured out that it would have cost $1,100 if we had purchased the supplies and paid each camper minimum wages hourly,” said Kyes. “They felt very important knowing they had done something so valuable, not to mention how excited they were to receive a certificate when they had finished.”
This was the first time Building Blocks offered this activity; nevertheless, it was a huge success. “We will definitely offer this activity again. We were very happy with the 15 that volunteered, and we expect a much greater number next time,” said Kyes.
Leap into Summer will run through August 21. Regular activities camp participants can expect are: weekly field trips, health and wellness exercises and information sessions three days a week, and science labs and swimming one day a week. Each week will focus on a different theme, which will correlate with field trips and other planned activities.
About Building Blocks Child Care and Development Center
The Building Blocks Child Care & Development Centers are Clayton, NC based, five star facilities that specialize in developmentally appropriate programs that promote physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth for infants through school age children. Building Blocks’ dedicated staff works to create an atmosphere in which children can grow and develop to their fullest potential. Building Blocks Child Care and Development Center offers complete child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers as well as a school-age program.
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