DCS Montessori hosts holiday gift shop to help Judi’s House
DCSM sixth grade students took a tour of Judi’s House in Denver and delivered a check from the proceeds of their Holiday Gift Shop. This year’s donation will help provide comprehensive care to grieving children and caregivers through various services and programs.
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori
Each year, DCS Montessori (DCSM) sixth grade students visit Judi’s House in Denver as part of their lesson on compassion and empowerment. This year, the students decided to go a step beyond and donate the proceeds of their annual Holiday Gift Shop to Judi’s House.
According to its website, Judi’s House is the only free-standing organization in the Denver metro area devoted solely to supporting grieving children and their families. With a belief that no child should grieve alone, Judi’s House has supported more than 7,000 youth since 2002 through its services; all at no cost to participating families. Holiday Gift Shop co-organizer Olivia Diedrich stated, “Judi’s House is a wonderful place. I am impressed to know that they provide comprehensive care for grieving children and families.”
In early September, the DCSM students began planning for the Holiday Gift Shop with the guidance of their teacher Ms. Ryoko Fusatani. They determined what to sell and how to produce the items for the December event, as well as selected the charity to receive the proceeds.
“We sixth graders learn about our world from books, people, and experiences,” said Castle Pines resident and student Madelyn Harris. “We visited Judi’s House and learned many things about grief and trauma and that there are solutions to every problem,” she added.
By selling Christmas crafts, jewelry, potted plants and more at the Holiday Gift Shop, the DCSM students raised $1,500 for Judi’s House. This year’s donation will help provide comprehensive care to grieving children and caregivers through various programs and services.
“It was an experience to remember. It is good to know that there are people who help when the crisis happens,” said co-organizer Aria Goodwin.
