Pubdate: Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Source: Truth, The (Elkhart, IN)
Copyright: 2005 Truth Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.etruth.com/Contact.aspx?ID=Editorial
Website: http://www.etruth.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1706
Author: D L Perrin

STUDENTS COLLECT ITEMS FOR METH HOME VICTIM

Kids Rescued in Raids Receive Necessities and Comfort

CONSTANTINE -- Students at Eastside and Riverside  elementary schools
are softening the blow to kids  removed from homes in drug raids by
packing suitcases  and backpacks for them with necessity and comfort
items.

When Kristin Flynn, Eastside Elementary principal, read  about ordeals
experienced by children in meth homes,  she had to act. "I love
children," Flynn said, hauling  box after box of donated items to the
curb for loading  into the cars going to child protection offices.

"I work with children all day. I could not just sit by  and do nothing
when I discovered how this terrible drug  was affecting so many
children here in our area."

Flynn talked with teachers at Eastside, then contacted  Linda Pettit
and Donna Mahoney of Riverside Elementary  and asked for their help
collecting suitcases and  backpacks filled with clothes, comfort items
and  toiletries for children.

Results were incredible, Flynn said, noting students  and parents were
generous.

"I had been discussing with my kids the impact on  families when there
is drug abuse like meth," Pettit  said. "So when Kristin approached
us, my kids were more  than willing to collect things to donate. It is
a great  project and hopefully we will continue with it because  the
need is there."

Norm Taylor, Constantine Pubic Schools superintendent,  praised
students' and teachers' efforts. Taylor said  projects like these
raise awareness -- even to those  innocent of drug use, possession or
distribution. "I  applaud Principal Kristin Flynn, staff and students
who  contributed to this project, especially on top of our  usual
holiday generosity to others."

Flynn said, "We must have 30 backpacks and suitcases  here, plus boxes
and bags of stuffed animals, clothes,  pajamas, combs, toothbrushes
and blankets." As she  spoke, Sandi Chappel of Scholastic Book Fair
came in  with a donation of four cases of children's books.  Flynn was
ecstatic.

A couple of first-grade students were on hand to help  with the
loading. Bradley Kulhman, 7, said, "I like the  blanket we packed
because it is comfy and if I lost my  house, like these kids do, then
I'd like it to keep me  warm." Next to Bradley was his classmate,
7-year-old  Jack Keifer.

"It's very nice to bring clothes to them when they  don't have their
own clothes because it might have some  of that bad stuff stuck on
their clothes," Jack said,  and with a sigh of empathy, he hugged a
teddy bear  tightly.

Glad to accept the donated items was Jean Skalski of  the Department
of Human Services and Suzanne Lind of  the Child Abuse and Neglect
Prevention Council.

Skalski said as many as 10 children a month are rescued  from meth
homes in the St. Joseph County. "Regrettably,  the need for these
items will not diminish."

Flynn and other teachers vowed to keep collecting as  long as it is
needed. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake