DCD second graders have wrapped up their service learning project centered around Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The culmination of this project was a fundraising Walk-A-Thon which took place during DCD’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. morning of service last Friday

Students learned there was much prep to be done before they reached the starting line. They met with representatives, Sarah Bonner and Amy Killeen, from Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island to learn about its mission to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, and how wishes granted go a long way in building strength, hope, and joy for these children. 

They heard about the five types of wishes granted and that it’s up to the child to choose their special wish.  It could be a wish to go to a special place like Disney World, a wish to be someone special like a superhero, a wish to have something special like a puppy, a wish to meet someone special like a celebrity or a professional athlete, or a wish to donate to a meaningful cause. Armed with this knowledge, second graders made special cards for wish recipients and decorated DCD team t-shirts for the Walk-A-Thon day. 

Completing a total of 639 laps in the Rand Gym, DCD 2nd graders helped raise $1364 to support these special wishes which are a meaningful part of a child’s treatment journey. The gym was full of energy and excitement for piling on as many laps as possible, bolstered by students’ empathy for and desire to help children like themselves.