Monroe City School District

#mcpride

From Mr. Patterson: I just had to share a story about my experience volunteering at the Food Pantry. Today's visit was just a normal visit like we always do every month. I took 9 students with me and we helped pack the wagons with food and helped get it into the vehicles. The usual volunteers were there and, like always, they were very appreciative of our help. Today one volunteer stuck out to me, one I had never seen before. Shortly after we begun our help I overheard him say to one of the other volunteers "What a community" and then he just went on helping out. A little later he made another remark about how he couldn't believe how helpful everyone is around here. This time I was intrigued enough to ask him where he was from because it was obvious to me that he was not from Monroe City and definitely not ever helped at the Food Pantry. He told me he was from St. Charles. I explained to him that I was the Principal of the MS and that we do this every month, just to help out. He was floored and just went on and on about how great it was to see kids helping out their community in such a way. I simply smiled and said "It's just what we do and we have great kids!" He said "You sure do." And then we both went on with our work. And then a little later he stopped again and asked "Well, are you guys like out of school today" I said "No, we get a group of kids out for a couple hours each month to do this". Once again he was amazed that we recognized the value and placed an importance on teaching our students about the importance of having compassion and empathy. And helped do something to help those in need, without the expectation of anything in return, except for a FULL HEART! Again we both went on with our work and we never really spoke again.

I really don't know how to end this story other than, I hope this helped fill your heart a bit today, I know it sure touched me and helped remind me that we live in a very caring and empathetic community. We have GREAT KIDS in our school, and we have outstanding teachers and role models that help guide and show them the way! Thank you all for what you do and I hope you have the happiest of Thanksgiving's!