Roeper Elementary Students Open Store to Benefit Earthworks

Second and third grade students at the continued their tradition of turning what many consider trash into treasure by opening a recycling/reusing gift store. 

The store was only open for four days, but the students made $2,268.81 and chose Earthworks Urban Farm to be the recipient. 

The project, which was to develop a store, manufacture the products, advertise, run the store and decide where the proceeds would be spent, was assigned to all Stage III (second and third grade) classes. While the teachers offered suggestions, the students where in charge of the entire project. 

The students collectively decided they wanted to the money to benefit Earthworks. They decided what items to make and how much to sell them for. Some of the items they sold included worry dolls, coasters, bookmarks, purses, wallets, jewelry, notecards, pins, magnets and journals. All items were made from recycled/reused materials and priced between 25 cents and $12. 

The students presented a check to Earthworks Education Coordinator, Denis Rochac, on Jan. 3. Rochac said that the money will go directly to the children’s gardens. 

“Items such as seeds, tools, aprons and gloves have to be replenished every year,” said Rochac. “This amount of money will go a long way to sustain our program.”