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Making spirits bright

Craig preschoolers give to others

Brandon Johnson

Local preschoolers are learning a lesson about giving this holiday season.

Three preschools and Moffat County government officials have teamed up to make Christmas gifts for people who can’t afford them.

The preschoolers at St. Mark’s Preschool, Sunrise Kids Preschool and the Moffat County School District Early Child–hood Development Center are making ornaments.



The ornaments will hang on trees at the Moffat County employee Christmas party this weekend.

After the party, the trees will be given to local people who can’t afford a tree or decorations.



“Christmas is a time to do things for someone else,” said Rosemary Crosthwaite, director of St. Mark’s Preschool.

But with children as young as 2 years old at some of the preschools, it isn’t always clear to the students what they’re making or for whom.

“When they make something, they want to take it home,” said Judi Whilden, director of Sunrise Kids.

By making the ornaments, children learn a lesson about giving and about helping people who need it, Whilden said.

“It’s a great learning experience,” Whilden said as kids at the school glued antlers on paper reindeer ornaments.

At the Early Childhood Devel–opment Center, Director Sarah Hepworth said the children don’t always understand what the project is, but they know they’re helping people.

“It’s kind of abstract for them,” she said.

This is the first year the county has worked with local preschools on the project.

Moffat County Human Re—-sources Director Lynette Running, whose children attend St. Mark’s, said she wanted a project where children could learn about helping the community.

Rather than buy ornaments for the county Christmas party, she teamed with local preschools to make the ornaments.

Running is working with United Way to find recipients of the trees.

She said she hopes the children involved in the project learn a lesson about helping the less privileged.

“Christmas is not easy for everyone,” she said. “I hope they learn how it feels to help our community members who need help.”


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