Write a commentA group of Fitzhugh Park Elementary School students simply wanted to use arts and crafts to help raise money for Oswego Oncology and the Galisano Children's Hospital.
Sixth graders Alyssa Searor and Maddy Graham wanted to do something for a good cause. They both enjoy crafting, so they decided to use their artistic skills to help raise money for finding a cure for cancer.
“I was making lots of loom bracelets and Mrs. Haessig thought it might be a way of helping others,” Searor said.
“We thought it would be nice to have a fundraiser for Oswego Oncology and the Galisano Children’s Hospital and we are doing that through making crafts,” Graham said.
Thus far, over $600 has been donated.
“We would like to raise $1,000 to donate," Searor said.
The students will be at this week’s Oswego Farmers' Market on Thursday between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will have banners indicating their efforts.
“Crafting for a Cure” is the name the students have chosen as Nichole Anthony, Audrey Atkins, Jakob Ball, Jordan Engler, Gracie Hoffman, Hannah Holland, Mckenna Lasalle, Natalia Trapasso, Kaylyne Westberry, Valerie Whitford, Karsyn Mahaney, Riley Randall, Courtney Wood and Zach Gonzales have been assisted by teacher Christine Haessig, Syracuse University Education major Michaela Kearns and Rachel Little in the effort.
“The students have written the publicity and have constructed their own creations, many which have inspirational messages researched by the students,” Haessig said,
Jacob Ball's promotional piece states: "We craft for research of the cure for Cancer. Our crafters work at home and at school everyday of the week day-in day-out of pure heart making nothing, but giving everything.”
At the Farmers' Market, the various items will be available with students asking for donations for the worthwhile cause.
All of the arts and crafts have been made on the students’ free time.
“Students stay after school every Friday and they have been working after school this week with many not leaving until after 5 p.m,” Haessig said.
Students indicated that sometimes they simply ran out of ideas, but then discovered a valuable source of assistance.
“This was a good cause and I love to craft," sixth grader Gracie Hoffman said. "I don’t know why, but for some reason I can always figure out how to make something with the things that are available.”
JoAnn Fabrics in the midtown plaza had donated a variety of surplus supplies to Fitzhugh Park Elementary School and students were able to search the donations to find various fabrics and supplies. There have also been other generous donations from people who have viewed the projects and support the students’ cause.
Their creativity helped the arts and crafts creations grow in numbers and this Thursday night, the community will be able to view the fruits of the students' labors during the weekly Oswego Farmers’ Market.
