by Tracy Reichdan
12/3/2008

Several times each year, Mark Hopkins Elementary School donates the unclaimed lost and found items to charity organizations. Just before Thanksgiving vacation this school year, the mountainous pile necessitated action as large bags gathered around the bins and even in the main office.

Fortunately, a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) petitioned for help from Hopkins Elementary. Sue Donohue, the literacy chairman for the DAR chapter, confessed, “Originally, this started as a book drive for an Aurora school until one of the teachers mentioned a need for coats. Their attendance rate drops significantly during cold weather because the kids don’t own warm clothes.” Soon, Sue collected the bags of coats, scarves and gloves from Hopkins in addition to boxes of books.

One young beneficiary of the generosity of Hopkins Elementary and the DAR excitedly described her birthday to her classroom teacher. She felt enthusiastic to receive a secondhand pair of jeans when she didn’t think she would have any presents on her special day. For Christmas, she wished Santa would bring her a winter coat which Hopkins and the DAR granted.

Many young children in the local Aurora school enjoy the kindness of Hopkins Elementary. During the cold months, not only will the recipients think of Hopkins but those who participated in the coat drive will remember their warm neighbors knowing how they served.