Preschoolers learn a lot of important lessons at a young age. Like how to tie a shoe, reciting their ABC’s and how to count.
But no matter how young they are, the most important lesson preschoolers at Oxford’s Head Start Program are learning is how to help people in need.
Thanks to program coordinator Denise Fouracre, children in Karen Riddle’s class collected $148 over the last couple of weeks for children at a Louisiana school affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Fouracre heard help was needed in Slidell, Louisiana (just north of Lake Ponchatrain). She also heard about a group of missionaries in Texas willing to help.
The missionaries decided to forgo a trip to Mexico and travel to Louisiana and help with cleanup efforts instead.
Being so involved with the Head Start program here in Oxford, Fouracre inquired about any such program in Slidell. And there was.
After the hurricane hit, the Slidell Head Start Program and its 150 students were forced to evacuate their severely flooded building until further notice.
The school was reopened just last week, but Fouracre said the school is basically having to start all over.
‘They lost virtually all of their stuff; from books, to construction paper, markers’everything,? she said.
With the money the Oxford students raised, they purchased pencils, paper, underwear, socks, diapers and baby food for the Slidell Head Start. A large amount of children’s books were also donated.
The students took a group photo and wrote cards to the Slidell students with the hope of bringing a smile to their faces.
Last Friday, Fouracre headed to Louisiana with five others from Michigan, where they met missionaries from Texas in New Orleans.
‘We will be spending the next week cleaning up to five homes that FEMA has already made environmentally OK,? she said.
After helping clean houses, Fouracre said she will be taking a day off to travel to Slidell’s Head Start to drop off the items the children purchased.
This outpouring of helpfulness from the kids helped Fouracre know in her heart that young children really do understand the hurricane’s affect on the residents. Especially the children in Slidell.
Fouracre, who’s been program coordinator for 21 years, said the staff tries to do a community project for the children every year.
‘We’re trying to service both the classroom and help the families,? she said. ‘We were told all the families were wiped out and are living in gymnasiums and tents right now.?
Although she had to cram all of the items she was taking in a PT Cruiser, Fouracre considers herself lucky she even had the chance to help.
‘So many people have said ‘if I could get off work,? or ‘if I could get away from my family I’d be down there,?? she said. ‘I actually had that opportunity.?