STAFFORD – A recent assembly program at the school district’s McKinley Avenue Elementary School literally went to the dogs – in a good way.
As third and fourth-grade students entered the Stafford Township Arts Center, teachers and staff greeted them by waving yellow pom-poms and cheering them on. The student body itself was about to learn their role as community heroes.
School Principal Tiffany Eberle made some preliminary remarks before she turned over the program to Matt Aires and Jackie Aliseo, two McKinley physical education teachers.
October 22 is National Make a Difference Day, “seen as a special time when over 3 million people worldwide choose to do something different for others. For over two decades, McKinley students have taken on projects to make over $200,000 in charitable contributions as a group effort.
Students watched a video that portrays the story of a young child returning starfish from the sandy beach to the ocean waters. An adult points out the magnitude of the girl’s efforts and suggests that she can’t possibly make a difference. As she tosses another starfish into the surf, the youngster smiles and says, “she made a difference for that one.”
“The video shows that no matter how small or large the gesture is, you can make a difference,” said Aliseo to the enthusiastic group of students. “You can make an impact on something or someone.”
Aliseo explained that the school’s “Make a Difference Day” goal was to give the children an opportunity to take ownership of where they lived and help people in their neighborhoods.
According to Aires, McKinley students have participated in various fundraising projects since the program began in 2000. During that first year, the school collected 2,549 items and financial donations for Ronald McDonald House. Some of the other charities where McKinley students have made a difference include the Ocean Food Bank, Oceans of Love, the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter, Parker’s Army, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
This year’s “Make a Difference Day” efforts are designated to the Stafford Township Police Department’s K-9. Students cheered as Community Policing Officer Marisa Lawrence entered the stage to share how the kids could help the department’s newest K-9 officer, Venus.
The group of third and fourth graders listened attentively to how they could help their town’s police dog. However, they couldn’t contain their excitement when the next guest of honor was introduced.
Stafford K-9 Officer Ollie retired as a hero earlier this year and came to the McKinley School with his treasured owner, Master Police Officer Christopher M. Smith. The two nearly received a standing ovation as they stepped into the spotlight.
“We have a brand-new canine who was unable to come today because she’s in training,” Lawrence shared. “Venus, at the moment, does not have a bulletproof vest.”
Smith shared some interesting facts about the bulletproof vests used to protect human and K-9 officers. Vests for police dogs are approximately $3,000, while the ones used to ward off harm to people are half the price.
“If we send our dogs to look for someone in a house with a gun or a knife, they may try and stab the dog, or shoot it,” said Smith. “That’s why it’s important that we try to put a vest over the canines since they’re sometimes going into more dangerous situation than we are.”
Students became excited as they learned their “Make a Difference Day” would go to providing Venus with protection. Any additional funds raised would be applied to community policing events.
Hands shot up when Smith asked the students if they had any questions about Ollie or Stafford’s K-9 officers. One came from a familiar face to both Smith and the retired K-9 who lives at home with him and his family.
“Can I come and pet my dog?” asked fourth-grader Andee Smith.
As she ran up front with her teacher, Kerry Eck’Art, the connection between the protective animal and the sweet young girl was more than evident.
McKinley Avenue students used a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds for this year’s “Make a Difference Day” with a goal of raising $5,000.
