Giving Grizzlies teaches kids about community service

It's never too early to start giving.

That's the unspoken message of the Giving Grizzlies Community Service Club at Givens Elementary School. It's the brainchild of Dara Marias, parent adviser to the club.

Marias, an attorney who holds a master's degree in social work, said she got the idea while serving as student enrichment coordinator for the PTA, organizing clubs at the school. Marias said people were teaching activities such as cheerleading and pastry-making, and "I wanted an opportunity for parents to have an organized way to introduce community service to their children."

That's something that can be difficult to do on an individual basis. Marias noted that, for example, it may be a little daunting for a parent to arrange to take his or her child to a shelter to serve meals to homeless people, but it's somewhat easier to do as a group.

Marias got together with teachers Christine Scarpello and Celeste Hoekema (Hoekema has since left the area; teacher Kathleen Pasier stepped in to fill the gap). And they started organizing.

The club, they decided, would have an educational component to introduce a community issue to children in an age-appropriate manner. And the children's families would participate. When families participate, Marias said, not only is there greater bonding, but parents can use the experience to continue discussions at home.

"We're teaching children how to take action and identify a problem and a community in need," she said. They also define what a community is -- whether that's a family, a school or a broader swath.

"Even if you're a community of one, you can make a difference," she said.

Empathy is involved as well. When learning about children in foster care, the Grizzlies were asked how they'd feel if they had to pack all of their belongings in a suitcase and move on to the next home. They also volunteered at a harvest party at Olive Crest. Being together with children in foster care, Marias said, "took down the barriers -- that 'They're different from us.' "

They served meals at homeless shelters at Thanksgiving to learn about hunger and homelessness in the community. They put together "kindness kits" for children at Shade Tree shelter, in many cases donating their own belongings that were in good condition. And they interviewed and got to know residents of an assisted-living facility and made Valentine's Day door decorations for them.

Then the children were given the task of coming up with their own independent projects. Each one identified an issue or community he or she would like to assist, then made a poster board to tell other members about the projects.

One young boy, Marias said, planted a garden for his grandmother who loved flowers but could no longer bend over. A girl whose art teacher was stricken with cancer helped her clean up and prepare for the next lesson.

"None of this is earth-shattering," Marias said. But "it's definitely creating a different mind-set.

"I feel like there's a lot of charity in the world. Giving money or taking action -- neither one is better than the other. We're trying to show that you don't have to give money but can give of yourself and time, and belongings you don't use anymore can really make a difference in a child's life."

Anyone who would like more information on Giving Grizzlies -- perhaps to start a similar program in his or her own child's school -- can call 799-1485, and leave a name and phone number.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0474.