February 27, 2008

Press Release

TISD Students Learn About Giving

Bonner Elementary students are getting dirty while fighting hunger as they participate in a service-learning project. By making clay bowls, the “Empty Clay Bowls” project combines a unique service opportunity with a unit of study on the art of ceramics.  On Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Bonner Elementary School located at 235  South Saunders in Tyler, a representative from St. Paul’s Children Foundation will speak to students about being part of the “Cycle of Giving.” 

Throughout the length of the project, the school’s community partners from East Texas Food Bank, PATH (United Way), and St. Paul’s Children’s Foundation will speak to students about how individuals and groups take action to improve the community. These speakers will also share how their particular non-profit organization serves the common good. 

“In the process of giving of themselves to help others, students experience firsthand the value of community service,” said Bonner Art Teacher Heather Gentry.

After constructing the bowls, they will be glazed and fired to complete the process.  Each student will have created a unique bowl to donate to the local “Empty Bowls” auction that directly benefits the community partners.

The 5^th Annual “Empty Bowls” event will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler.  Event guests choose a bowl to use at the event and keep as a reminder that there are always “Empty Bowls” in the world.  In exchange for a meal and the bowl, the guest gives a donation that benefits local hunger relief agencies. The event is open to the community.
 

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