Growing up, we all have that one hero we admire — someone we can depend on. A person who has our best interest at heart and brings comfort, joy, and hope. It’s easy to admire a hero, but it takes courage, kindness, and leadership to be one.
At DeMello Elementary, the fourth-grade student council is learning every day what it truly means to be a hero. With the guidance of caring teachers and leaders, these students are discovering how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in their community.
Each year, the fourth-grade student council comes together with a shared goal of giving back to their local community. Through teamwork and compassion, they have gone above and beyond to help children in need. Giving back has become a meaningful tradition for these students, and GiftsToGive has become a special partner that is close to their hearts.
“I met Jim Stevens several years ago through my sister-in-law, who was one of the first employees at GiftsToGive. When we launched our fourth-grade student council, GiftsToGive immediately stood out as a natural partner,” said fourth-grade student advisor Michaela Markey. “Our mission is to help students understand the importance of giving back and the value of community service, and working with a local organization like GiftsToGive makes that message even more meaningful.”
Working alongside GiftsToGive, the fourth-grade student council has given back in many ways over the years, from donating clothing, hats, mittens, and coats in the past to organizing this year’s large donation of sports balls.
When deciding what to donate this year, student council advisor Michaela Markey recalled a factory tour from two years ago, during which Chief Operating Officer, Ray Carpenter explained that sports balls are a high-demand item that they aim to include in every gift package for children in need, but limited donations often make that difficult.
That memory inspired this year’s donation drive, as the student council worked together with the school community to collect sports balls for GiftsToGive.
“We put together a donation drive flyer that my school principal mailed to students’ homes and posted on our electronic backpack communication forum that we use to directly communicate with students’ parents. And then within the next several weeks we got a decent amount of donations from families and with the help of our students we were able to package up all the donations and drop it off at GiftsToGive,” Markey said.
Beyond donating, these amazing fourth graders have also dedicated their time to volunteering at the GiftsToGive factory during their summer breaks from school.
Volunteering has provided them with the opportunity to learn more about the building, the work that is done, and the purpose behind the work. It has also been an inspiration for brainstorming their next donation drives.
“The foundation of what we do is show kids that there are opportunities in the community and in the world to think about other people, and that when you have the means and ability to help, you should. Exposing kids to this idea is really important. It’s great that they’re starting at nine and ten years old to think about giving back and helping others in their community,” Markey said.
Through this thoughtful donation, the students showed that being a hero doesn’t require superpowers — just a caring heart and a willingness to help others. Their efforts with GiftsToGive prove that compassion has no age requirement and that young leaders can make a lasting impact when given the chance to serve.
The fourth- grade student council’s work is a reminder that heroism often begins with small, intentional choices. By choosing to give, to volunteer, and to care, these students are creating a ripple effect of kindness that reaches far beyond their school walls.
Story by (Marissa Sebastiao)