As part of its No Child Will Suffer Alone Project, MacArthur High School MacTEACH tutors are making good on their word to not allow children attending MacArthur's seven elementary feeder schools feel alone when dealing with personal hardships.
Aware that some of our children experience physical, emotional, and other hardships far beyond their immediate control, MacTEACH students use their resources to create bear baskets that will provide an immediate diversion and relief from anxiety and disruption.
For MacTEACH senior, Bethany Guerra, delivering the bear baskets to Wetmore Elementary School was especially important.
"It's important because I realize there are children, even in our District that experience difficult times, emotionally and physically,” said Guerra. “Although we deliver Bear Baskets to all seven feeder schools to MacArthur, Wetmore is especially important to me because it's the school that gave me so much."
Each basket contains stuffed bears, children's books, toys, crayons, pencils, puzzles, games, coloring books, jump ropes and balls. The baskets also include comfort items such as socks and blankets.
"These bear baskets are my way of giving back to a school that means everything to me,” said Guerra. “It hurts my heart that there may be children in need of our kind of support, but it feels good knowing I'm trying to do something about it."
MacTEACH sponsor Steve Davidson sees strong potential within the program.
"As the coordinator for MacTEACH, I'm always so impressed with the depth the MacTEACH students will go to ensure that others in our community are living satisfactory lives, especially our children,” said Davidson. “As humanitarians, they continue to prove they are truly grounded in their belief that every child matters, and that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy life, free from harm."
