BY KARISSA MILLER

Union Grove Elementary students are learning how a simple act of kindness can help strangers in a time of need.

As part of a lesson on empathy, fourth-grade students sent cards and posters of encouragement to Hurricane Helene victims and relief workers.

“I told them we are writing to the flood victims and the people who were going to help our citizens. We tied it into talking about citizenship,” teacher Carrie Fulbright explained.

The character trait of the month is empathy, she explained, and students are learning how to show empathy to others.

Charlie Cheevey explained that empathy is another word for kindness. Many of his classmates agreed.

Empathy can help people understand and share the feelings of others, added student Mikalyn Whitley, which can “help give other people confidence.”

Maddox Bailey said that when put into action, “empathy is saying nice things to people.”

Following the lesson, Fulbright grabbed some paper and markers and had students write letters to people in Western North Carolina. She emphasized the importance of using “encouraging words.”

That is when she noticed some of the students pulling out their Bibles.

“The students had been in Good News Club that week and some of them learned new Bible verses. Others looked them up on their own. They wanted those verses to comfort those hurting,” Fulbright explained.

One student wrote, “Thank the Lord for all the prayers that have been answered. I hope that you are safe and OK. Hope you still have an amazing rest of your life.”

At the bottom, the student referenced John 3:16 and Psalms 56:3.

The cards “show that you care. You are not alone,” said Payslie Manners.

Some of the students mentioned that they heard about the impact and devastation Helene caused in Western North Carolina.

“My first reactions after Hurricane Helene — ‘Wow,’” recalled Nash Prevette.

“I was amazed by how much damage there was,” added Liam Redmond.

Cooper Ward said that he has a family member that lives in Swannanoa. “They found her, but it took a day and a half,” Ward said, mentioning that she was safe.

Beef Jerky Drive

According to Principal Keeley Ward, the letters of encouragement are part of a larger outreach effort for Hurricane Helene victims and relief workers.

Staff is baking homemade desserts to help a local church that is providing a meal for relief workers. 

In November, the school is hosting a beef jerky drive. The money raised will be sent to the Swannanoa area, where Ward has a connection at Swannanoa Elementary.

“Children can make a resilient impact and create a lasting impact on our Western North Carolina neighbors,” the principal said.

Through all of these efforts, teachers are helping students to understand the value of compassion and empathy.

“This shows them that education is not only about academics, but about growing as caring and responsible individuals who support their community,” she said.

“Our Tiger students took time to create thoughtful posters and cards for those impacted in WNC. This kindness and creativity will surely bring comfort and encouragement to those facing difficult times. What a beautiful reminder of the positive impact we can all make, and our students at Union Grove are learning invaluable lessons in compassion and community,” she added.

Photos