Waverly Donates 630 Gift Boxes to Local Shelters

It might be late March, but it’s never too late to let the community know about a great project Waverly Avenue Elementary School took part in last month for Valentine’s Day.

The Valentine Box Project began with two retired fifth grade teachers, Sue Hart and Marie McNair. Students, faculty and staff brought in shoeboxes filled with books, snacks, toys and treats.

The school donates these boxes to local shelters who are involved with children, 14 and under. This year they gathered 630 boxes to donate to eight local shelters: Hour Children, Lighthouse Mission, Project ReDirect, Help Suffolk, AnnMarie's House, Mary's House, and Lakehouse.  

“This project is wonderful for our students because they identify each box donated with a needy child that could possibly be a member of their own community,” said first grade teacher Beth Ryan. 

Carolyn Maloney (5th Grade), Debbie Mergott (1st Grade) and Ryan have been organizing this project for the past two years.  

“We really get our classes involved and they love every minute of it,” Ryan said.

The fifth grade students make posters and announcements about the project.  They help repair any damaged boxes then they help sort the boxes by shelter.  The first graders help by donating extra supplies.

“It really is a fantastic project that epitomizes the heart of Waverly,” Ryan said.