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Pre-K Project Molds Little Santas

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 26, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Prekindergarten students at Kids' Stuff Preschool in Land O' Lakes went on a Christmas shopping spree Dec. 19 and 20 at Kmart in Land O' Lakes, spending money earned through household chores and parent donations on toys and clothes.

Instead of keeping these purchases themselves, though, they donated them to needy children served by the Pasco Pediatric Foundation.

In total, these 72 children raised nearly $2,000 through the annual Coin Harvest, a Kids' Stuff program that allows students to buy Christmas presents for those less fortunate.

"We do this to emphasize that some children their age don't have anything," said Kim Copher, Kids' Stuff teacher. "This is our way of helping Santa out."

Kids' Stuff prekindergarten student Hanna Puida, 4, agrees.

"Santa always brings plenty of stuff to our houses," she said. "We have to help him give to other kids."

And give they did, with the help of teachers and parent assistants. Each child spent $15 on items such as baby dolls, storybooks, clothes, modeling clay, and stuffed animals.

"I want to give the kids something I would like," said 4-year-old Allyson O'Connor.

"My daughter Briana said she wanted to shop for a baby," said April Green of her 4-year-old daughter, a Kids' Stuff student. "She wants to shop for baby toys and baby stuff."

Briana rejoiced, in fact, when she found a small baby doll in the Kmart toy section.

"Look, Mom!" she exclaimed. "It has its own bottle and everything."

Aside from enjoying the shopping experience, the children diligently earned and collected money needed for the shopping trip.

"My son Andrew told me one day, 'You forgot to give me my money today'" for the Kids' Stuff effort, chuckled parent volunteer Stacy Cerreta. "So I gave him extra the next day."

Once their coins were collected, teachers took students to Wachovia Bank and Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union to cash in their coins for bills. Tory Simms' class alone generated $600, the top class dollar amount for this year.

Other participating teachers were Copher, Isabel Trentman and Judy DeFriese. Their assistants were Jenna Strand, Jackie Waters, Maria Shepherd and Carol Williams.

"Some of these kids have never been inside a bank, to see how money is exchanged," said Copher. "This way they can visit a bank, and by keeping track of how much they've spent and what they can and can't buy with the money they have left, they learn the value of a dollar."

Also, according to parent volunteer Andrea Puida, they learn the value of helping others.

"I think it's wonderful that Kids' Stuff gives children the opportunity to think of others this time of year," she said.

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