Students and teachers at three Grand Rapids Public Schools worked to give a little warmth to those in need. Along the way, they learned that in order to get a little help, you need communication skills, determination, and the ability to see a project through.

The Walk for Warmth was held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 and benefited seniors and low-income families who have not been able to keep up with their heating bills. The event was attended by many of Grand Rapids' prominent figures - including Mayor Hartwell, who gave a great motivational speech to everyone involved.

Walkers ranged from the second grade all the way to senior age, with everything between. elementary, middle, and high school students from Grand Rapids Public Schools attended the walk and were very motivated to promote the cause.

And it couldn't have come on a more appropriate day - the thermometer was in the teens when the walk began at 9 a.m., motivating all the participants to get moving. The route started at Straight St. at the West Side Complex in downtown Grand Rapids and then went from Seward to Fulton, to Marion, to Bridge, back to Seward and finally returning to Straight St.

The event's champion schools were Sibley Elementary, Westwood Middle, and Union High schools. 

 At Sibley, Mary Engelsman worked with her students to contact local businesses to raise money for the walk. Students in her class wrote letters to local businesses informing them of the walk, what it benefited, and how they could help. Businesses that chose to participate were promoted during the walk with student-made signs thanking the businesses. After the walk, students will then take pictures, DVD slideshows, and posters to say thank you to those who donated. 

Middle school students from Westwood Middle School wrote persuasive letters to businesses, and were able to raise hundreds of dollars along the way. This was their first year supporting the Walk for Warmth, but they went a long way in helping to reach the goals of the effort.

Union High School students participated in the walk, helping to guide the younger participants and raise the level of enthusiasm.

Mary from Sibley exuded so much energy during the event, she caught the attention of a Grand Rapids Press reporter, who said that he "had to talk to the cheerleader" of the walk. So there you have it - a little enthusiasm goes a long way, and the squeaky wheel gets the well-deserved interview!

The press attention isn't just great for gaining attention for your classroom and your service-learning efforts. It draws on the positive aspects of what schools and educators do, which is so important in raising the public's opinion of the value of schools in their community.

And what did students learn while doing their service? They worked on writing skills, artistic expression, and math, as they counted up the donations that were rolling in!