About 250 fifth graders at Birchwood Intermediate School made sandwiches Wednesday and bagged cookies for distribution to shelters in Huntington.
Principal Anthony Ciccarelli talked to students about the importance of helping others in need and then elicited laughs when he explained what not to do so they could keep their gloves sanitary while preparing food.
The students prepared about 500 sandwiches and bags of cookies under the watchful eye of staff members, volunteers and district administrators.
Assistant principal Annie Michaelian said the school had participated in Project HOPE, for Helping Other People Eat, for about five years. Third graders decorate the bags to hold the sandwiches, fourth graders bake the cookies with an assist from adults and fifth graders handle the sandwiches and cookies.
"Project Hope is a very special organization," Michaelian said. "It gives the children a chance to show that they're giving and not just getting. They're helping others who are less fortunate than us. It's a wonderful program and the South Huntington school district is a great community--we really have a great family here."
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