Generosity alive and well in Eastern Iowa schools

Earlier this month, The Gazette published a notice asking Eastern Iowa schools to e-mail me their school projects for the holiday season. A group of reporters would vote on the submissions with three projects selected for publication in the newspaper.

To be honest, I didn't expect a large response. I know schools do great things for the community, but it isn't often someone thinks to let the media know what they have planned until it's too late. Still, we put it out there and waited.

We had about 30 nominations.

I was overwhelmed by the response -- and the scope of projects students take on in the spirit of giving. We had everything from food drives and Salvation Army bell ringers, to mitten tress and candy grams. Students collect toys for children, adopt families from HACAP, raise money for University of Iowa Children's Hospital and send care packages to American soldiers. And these are only the projects people nominated!

It was hard choosing only three projects to feature. Many reporters asked me if they could vote for more. Still, three projects received the most votes and you can read about them in

The Gazette Dec. 19, 23 and 25. In the meantime, I will feature the projects that didn't get selected for a print story on this blog. Enjoy reading about the generosity and giving spirit of our schools -- I know I did!