Harvest Kindness Squad Shares Message With Saline School Board

Students from Harvest Elementary School’s Kindness Squad took turns explaining how small acts of kindness can make a difference during a presentation to the Saline Area Schools Board of Education on March 10.

Margo Lutz was the first to speak, telling board members she joined the group because she enjoys helping others.

“I want to be in the Kindness Squad because I want to help others,” Lutz said.

Students Katherine Krasko, Gwendolyn Finch and Jane Zak also shared their experiences with the program, which brings together Young 5s through third grade students to organize service projects throughout the school year.

“The Kindness Squad helps kids and adults remember that there can always be a little more kindness,” Finch told the board.

Among the group’s recent efforts was Harvest’s annual “SOUPer Bowl” food drive benefiting Saline Area Social Service. This year, students collected 793 pounds of food, surpassing the more than 600 pounds gathered during last year’s drive.

Students also highlighted the group’s “Little VictorThon,” a fundraiser supporting programs at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. As part of the event, students collected donations and took part in a “Minute for Mott,” dropping coins and cash into buckets during a 60-second assembly challenge.

“I thought it was really exciting when the kids dumped all the coins,” Zak said.

The effort raised $3,762 this year. Over the past two years, Harvest students have raised more than $7,000 for hospital programs, with donations matched dollar-for-dollar through a gift from Delta Air Lines.

Harvest parent Kristin Kurtz told board members the fundraiser helps introduce students to philanthropy at a young age.

“What I love most about this program is that it has inspired kids to do more,” Kurtz said.

Harvest Principal Emily Sickler said the Kindness Squad encourages students to look for ways they can help others while building a culture of kindness throughout the school community.

Featured photo: Members of Harvest Elementary School’s Kindness Squad pose with Saline Area Schools Board of Education members after presenting about the group’s service projects during the board’s March 10 meeting at Liberty School in Saline. Photo by Heather Finch.