Central Boulevard students create unique birthday surprises



Teacher Patricia Tierney with her second grade students collecting birthday wishes and donations.

Teacher Patricia Tierney with her second grade students collecting birthday wishes and donations.

As part of a school activity called, Thoughtful Thursday’s, students from  the Central Boulevard school, created birthday cards, signs and pictures for homeless children who are celebrating their birthdays. The activity was done in conjunction with the help of the Birthday Wishes of Long Island organization, which provides birthday celebrations for local families and children experiencing homelessness on Long Island. All of the materials created by the students was given to the organization as part of their “Party In A Box’ package.

Patricia Tierney, a 2nd grade teacher at Central Boulevard and co-coordinator of the Thoughtful Thursday’s monthly series, said that the students were really excited to make the birthday materials.
“Our students were very excited to brighten the lives of children suffering from homelessness with their handmade birthday cards, posters and bookmarks,” said Tierney.
The students were overjoyed that a small thing like putting together a birthday card or poster could go a long way in making someone’s special day extra special.
Lily Peralta, a 2nd grader in Mrs. Tierney’s class said it made her feel good inside to do something special for someone less fortunate.
“I felt happy and proud to do something like this,” said Peralta. “I like doing things for other people that aren’t able to have a birthday party.”
Elementary teachers  at the school including Kerry Wessinger, Joanna Seiben, Kate Wright and Melissa Sokolowski, had all of their students participate in  the Thoughtful Thursday activity.
Brady McElwee, a student in Mrs. Seiben’s class, said that the activity enabled kids who wouldn’t ordinarily have a party, to have fun on their birthday’s.
“I think it was a good idea because kids that can’t really celebrate their birthday, have a chance to have fun on their birthday,” said McElwee.
Sofia Favuzza, another student in the class, said, “it was nice to do this because we could help other people who don’t have birthday parties,” said Favuzza.
Liam Walters, a student in Mrs. Wessinger class, summed up the activity best by saying helping others feel good was the purpose of the day.
“I think this a really good opportunity for our class to show that we care for others,” said Walters.
The Birthday Wishes of Long Island organization helps to make a difference in the lives of homeless children and their families by providing them with two types of party packages. They offer on-site parties at the shelters they serve and a birthday-in-a-box program which provide parties at domestic violence safe shelters, hotels and other sites.

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