Streams raises $2,000 for Canine Partners for Life

May 26, 2023

Streams Elementary School raised $2,000 to benefit Canine Partners for Life during the school’s annual Children for Children initiative. The theme for this year’s effort, which spanned from February through May, was “A PAWsitive Attitude Can Make All the Difference.”

Canine Partners for Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs, home companion dogs, and residential companion dogs to assist individuals who have a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.

This year’s effort was coordinated by teachers Lauren Bogus, Jen Graceffo and Katie McIntyre. Mrs. Bogus shared that fourth graders had been researching organizations that work with animals for their Inquiry Exhibition project.

“Children have such a connection to pets and animals,” Mrs. Bogus said. “We thought this would be a wonderful connection.”

As part of the Children for Children learning experience, students participate in unique, hands-on lessons where they learn about the organization and the importance of taking action in the world around them. 

“We saw first-hand how students connected with the charity this year because of their love of animals and especially the power of service dogs,” Mrs. Bogus said.

To raise the $2,000, students conducted a raffle of student-made items during the school’s open house. Raffle items included blankets, hand-painted flowerpots, notecards, magnets and books. Students collected change during PAWS-ITIVE Change Days. In addition, a donation drive was held to collect items including doggie waste bags, dog toys, dog treats and paper towels.

 

Students and staff were encouraged to share a photo of their pet for a special bulletin board display and special themed days included taking a favorite stuffed animal to school, wearing school colors and promoting kindness.

With the slogan, “A Simple Act Can Make a Difference,” the Streams’ Children for Children community service initiative was first launched in the 2004-05 school year. The goal was simple: expose students to other children in the world who are in need, and show them how they can make a difference.

“Our collection and lessons aim to show students how they, themselves, can make a difference and truly support taking action through children helping children,” Mrs. Bogus said.

Each year, the school selects a different charitable organization – the only prerequisite is that the organization must help children. Since 2005, the Children for Children initiative has raised more than $100,000 to benefit local, regional, national and international organizations. Charities have included Connecting Children with Champions, UNICEF Tsunami Relief, Katrina School Fund, CORE Organ, Dominican Republic Outreach Program, Heifer International, National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple, Casey’s Clubhouse, Jameson’s Army, Grady’s All Stars, The Education Partnership, Global Links, Our Clubhouse, South Hills Interfaith Movement, Beverly’s Birthdays, Best Buddies, the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank and now Canine Partners for Life.