REACHING THE MILITARY’S CHILDREN — Third- and fourth-graders who are members of the Community Kids group at Wells Academy filled shoeboxes full of supplies to help those at Wintersville Methodist Church in its Operation Christmas Child campaign. The boxes were filled with items that included toiletries, school supplies and small toys. Boxes are sent to children stationed overseas with their military families. — Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Wells Academy students are helping others have a brighter holiday when children participate in Operation Christmas Child. The school’s Community Kids group is helping Wintersville Methodist Church with its campaign to fill shoeboxes with supplies that will be sent to children stationed overseas with their military family.

Fourth grade teacher Sara Carrocci serves as the organizer for the group. She said its members raised money and collected items for this particular contest.

“The purpose of this group is to do for others” Carrocci said. “The students did a fundraiser to raise money so that we can do different things for people in need. Some students also gave money to help us buy various things we need.”

Carrocci explained that the shoe boxes were filled with everything from school supplies and toiletries to small toys for the children.

“The students made them at home and they were donated,” she continued. “Some sent in money to help with shipping costs for the boxes.”

Community Kids has participated in the project for the past few years and wanted to make a difference again this year, she said.

“The kids like doing activities like this because they enjoy giving to others,” Carrocci said. – So far, they have made sandwiches for the Friendship Room and care packages for women and children at the ALIVE women’s shelter in Steubenville. We plan to do other holiday projects as well.”

Carrocci concluded by saying that it is her hope to collect Thanksgiving food bags so that the children can donate them to the Urban Mission. The bags would contain basic items like stuffing in cartons, mashed potatoes and canned vegetables, along with extra holiday staples.