Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Blaine Manor receives gift of love

Learning Garden preschoolers make Valentine cards for charity

---

By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

On left, Blaine Manor resident David Alfs receives a “Prisoners of Love” Valentine from a fundraising project by Learning Garden preschool students T.J. Campbell and Karley Johnston. Courtesy photo

For the past several years, preschoolers at the Learning Garden in Hailey have taken part in a fundraising project that benefits the Wood River Valley community. This year, the Learning Garden's girls and boys, ages 3-5, made Valentine cards, which they sold as packets of five cards for $20. Raising $375, the preschoolers agreed to donate the proceeds to Blaine Manor, an assisted living center in Hailey.

The cards were inspired by Learning Garden preschool teacher Lee Dabney, who had her students pose for "mug shots." The mug-shot photos were made into Valentine cards called "Prisoners of Love."

Learning Garden Directors Beth Crawford and Darcy Van Steelant said the children's understanding of giving and serving are learned through direct experiences such as this fundraiser.

<

"As the children grow, these behaviors will become second nature to them," Van Steelant said.

In past years, funds have been donated to the Hunger Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, Heifer International, Feed the Children, the Senior Center, the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley and the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com

acheter cialis
comprar cialis
buy cialis