Candygrams For SPAN: Oak Hill Spreads Holiday Cheer With Annual Fundraiser

Candy canes have many uses, from dessert toppings to decorations, but Oak Hill Elementary students found another use for them this season: selling them to help local families.

In just four days, Oak Hill sold candygrams to raise more than $2,215 for SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods), a food pantry and emergency services provider. Each candy cane was sold for $1, and that income was added to donations to reach the total amount.

“We’ve been doing the fundraiser to benefit a village in Kenya,” said Pat Anderson, who teaches second grade at Oak Hill. “We just decided to bring it back local this year because there is a lot of need in the community.” Anderson volunteered with SPAN over the summer, so she saw the need firsthand.

To generate interest in the fundraiser, students made posters and spoke on the morning announcements. Anderson also thanked fellow teacher Bernadette Jackson for counting the money each year, one dollar at a time.

A check was presented to Ellen Kinsella, SPAN’s director of development, on December 19. The kids planned to deliver the candygrams the following day.

Anderson estimated that Oak Hill has accrued around $9,000 over the fundraiser's nine years, with 2017 generating the highest total. It has also reminded kids about the purpose of the season.

“It makes me feel good because we’re giving it to help people,” said one student, Emma Vancaster.

Added Reese Corey, “It makes me feel happy because it’s better to give than to receive.”