SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — Dozens of students at Chancellor Middle School have been busy working on a special assignment. During that time, the sixth graders in Mr. Jonathan Alsheimer's class had a special lesson in kindness.
Students assembled more than 300 care packages Thursday. The boxes were filled with toys, blankets, stuffed animals and other special gifts, all purchased with money they raised themselves.
It's part of a special project called 'Rae of Hope,' spearheaded by Mr. Alsheimer. The hope is the care packages will put a smile on a child's face who may be going through a difficult time in the hospital right now, and won't be home for the holidays. Each student came up with a plan and together they raised about $8,000.
"We asked grandparents, neighbors, went door to door, asked just about anybody we could to donate," said Madison Hill, a 6th grader who raised more than $600 on her own.
The project is personal for Mr. Alsheimer. He was inspired to pay it forward after a small act of kindness his family experienced when his own daughter was in the hospital. A stranger donated a box of toys with a stuffed unicorn inside. It's a gift that his daughter still holds on to four years after a difficult surgery.
'Rae of Hope' is named in honor of his late mother. Kim Rae Alsheimer was a first grade teacher for more than three decades. She passed away last year after her fifth battle with cancer.
"I know my mom would be so so proud," said Alsheimer.
The care packages were delivered to Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital Thursday afternoon.
"It's not just them feeling joy, but when we do this I think everyone feels joy in themselves for giving," said Alex Erickson, a 6th grader in Mr. Alsheimer's class.