This week, the third-grade class at Pottsville Area's John S. Clarke Elementary was given the opportunity to learn about nonprofit organizations, marketing and charity.
While introducing representatives from local nonprofits in presentations held every morning at the school, the organizers of the 15th annual Karen's Heroes program emphasized how the spirit of giving makes the world go round.
For example, on Friday, a representative from the Pottsville Free Public Library encouraged the 174 third-graders to make donations. But before Darren "Mr. Darren" DeArment, the library's head of youth services, stepped up to speak, Linda McElvaney, Pottsville, a retired third-grade teacher and one of the supporters of Karen's Heroes, addressed the crowd, saying, "It's called the Pottsville Free Public Library, but do you think they get their things for free? No. They have to buy them."
The event is a traditional tribute to elementary school teacher Karen Chattin-Ney, who died of cancer in 1998 at age 46.
Chattin-Ney's friends and family, including widower, Thomas Ney, and parents, Joseph and Joan Chattin, came up with the Karen's Heroes Program in 1999 as a way to remember her.
Every year, students vote to distribute $1,500 from the Karen Chattin-Ney Education Fund to five local charities.
At 9:30 a.m. every day this week, representatives of the following nonprofit organizations made half-hour presentations to the students: Monday, Hillside SPCA; Tuesday, Servants To All homeless shelters; Wednesday, Avenues of Pottsville; Thursday, Schuylkill Conservancy; and Friday, Pottsville Free Public Library.
Every year, a committee that oversees the fund - which includes friends of Karen, teachers and administrators - decides which local organizations will be recognized, according to event chairwoman Anita Dwyer, Barnesville.
On Friday, the Karen's Heroes organizers gave the students one-page ballots to take home. The ballots list each of the organizations, and the students are encouraged to vote to donate $5 to one by circling the name of the organization, Dwyer said.
Each student's vote turns into a $5 donation. With 174 students, that comes to $870.
"The balance of money - $630 - will be distributed equally among the organizations," Thomas Ney said Friday.
The ballots will be collected over the next week, and Dwyer said the results will be released in about two weeks.
Last year, Hillside SPCA received the most votes and received a total of $616. Meanwhile, the Make-A-Wish Foundation received $301, the Sovereign Majestic Theater received $246, the American Cancer Society received $181 and the Schuylkill County Diabetes Task Force received $156.
DeArment was given the opportunity to make a presentation in 2012. That year, the students votes garnered $167 for Pottsville Free Public Library.
On Friday, he worked to engage the students with a slide show highlighting books, movies and music available at the library. He also mentioned programs, like the American Girl Doll Club for children ages 6 to 12, which meets from 4 to 5 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month, and the Lego Club for children ages 5 to 12, which meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays.
"Part of my job is getting stuff for the library that you want," DeArment said. He clicked a remote and an image of a genie emerging from a bottle flashed up on a screen. "Basically, I'm working for you guys. If there's something that we don't do that you don't see, let me know. I can't promise you, but I'll do my absolutely best to see if we can get it in for you. What kind of books do you like to read?" he asked the third-graders.
"Katie Kazoo," Reilly Spotts said, referring to a series of books published by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, according to www.katiekazoo.com.
"Science books," Isabella Croneberger said.
And Zander Hirsch said, "Books about UFOs."