—The Savannah Country Day School kindergarten classes recently formed “Operation: Cuddles for Kids” – a global awareness project created to provide stuffed animals for young patients at a local medical clinic in Iraq.
The Kindergarteners and their teachers were inspired by their study of patriotism. Chaplain Jay Hearn, spouse of teacher Karen Hearn, is no stranger to the kindergarten classes and they knew they could turn to him for ideas. As luck would have it, Chaplain Hearn was looking for someone to donate stuffed animals for patients of a mobile medical unit in Iraq. Thus, Cuddles for Kids was born.
The Kindergarten children were asked to earn a dollar by doing a chore around the house to purchase a stuffed animal. Their efforts paid off and they purchased and shipped 70 stuffed animals to benefit the medical clinic. To make sure the animals provided the intended comfort and smiles, each kindergarten student picked one stuffed animal and gave it an extra special hug before placing it in the box to be mailed.
“Seeing the enthusiastic hugs that our kids gave to the stuffed animals on one continent and then seeing the enthusiastic hugs that the Iraqi children gave to those same stuffed animals on another continent was such a touching experience and warmed my heart immensely.” – Karen Hearn, SCDS Kindergarten Teacher.
“The stuffed animal was so nice and soft and I gave it some kisses to send to the kids.” – Kade Ward, SCDS Student.
Savannah Country Day School is a pre-k through twelve independent school that seeks to prepare students of academic and personal promise to meet with confidence, imagination, and integrity the challenges of college and of life. In partnership with supportive families, we strive to cultivate in each student the desire and the discipline to grow wise, to lead lives of personal honor, to appreciate beauty, to pursue physical well being, and to serve others with a generous and compassionate spirit. For more information about Savannah Country Day School, its mission, and its programs, please visit www.savcds.org.