As 2018 comes to an end, classrooms across Franklin County are wrapping up community service projects, and West Elementary School is one example.

Led by first-grade teacher Tara Vincent, the first-graders at WES collected items to donate to local nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Russellville. The school sent home a letter to parents detailing what items they wished to collect, and a couple of weeks later, classrooms compiled the items into baskets to be delivered.

“I absolutely love this service project. I believe it is important to teach children at a young age to give to others and to give back to our community,” said Principal Deanna Hollimon.

Some of the items collected include word search/activity books, socks, makeup samples, blankets, sugar free candy/gum and snack foods. Students were able to serve about 190 residents through this project at Russellville Health Care, Burns Nursing Home, Terrace Manor and The Cottage.

“We think it is good for students to show compassion to others. This is a good way to help them with this,” first-grade teacher Amy Hamilton said.

Vincent said this special community service project gives the first-grade teachers “a chance to teach the students the meaning of giving, showing empathy and caring for others in the community during this holiday season.”