Classroom discussion translates compassion into action for children

What started out as a group discussion for a class assignment ended in a service project in which nearly 100 homeless children received goody bags filled with various toys and candy.

Kathy Owens, who teaches business speech, has always been fond of service learning, so for the last four years she has incorporated it into her teaching curriculum. The project had a two-fold meaning.

“When we first went through the planning process of it, we had to use the reflective thinking model,” Owens said. “So students gained an understanding of problem solving … you have more than one goal in a group to accomplish a task and maintain interpersonal ties.”

Most importantly, the group discussion allowed students to serve others and gain a better understanding of why it is important.

“I think giving can be so much more pleasurable for the giver than the givee,” Owens said. “Its important that all people give back to the community .... If you guide the students through it, they understand what a good feeling that comes from it and are more likely to continue those kinds of actions on their own.”

Students filled bags with colored erasers, pencils, bubbles, stickers, candy, pencils and small tubs of modeling clay. The materials were donated by The Card and Party Factory in Temple, and students brought in small trinkets of their own to contribute to the cause.

“It was a lot of fun,” senior Danielle Hampton said. “There are a lot of people who miss out on the holidays because they don’t have money or can’t get out. A lot of kids are forgotten during this time, and they don’t get anything. So I’m glad we can bring a smile to their faces.”

Compassion Ministries in Waco received the gifts.

“We are so very thankful,” director Kiki Lopez said. The nonprofit organization has 12 apartments temporarily housing various sized families. When children come to the shelter, they often have nothing.

“Every little donation helps,” Lopez said.

Senior philosophy major Austin Fischer realized just that.

“Something mundane to you can mean so much to them,” he said. “It serves as a reminder that one of the reasons you work hard is to have plenty so that you can give plenty.”

Additionally, the business speech teacher donated something of her own.

“I gave them a budget of $50,” Owens said. “They didn’t need my money for their project so one student (Hampton) used my donation to buy food to give to the Scott & White food drive to help the needy.”

In past years, Owens’ class has sung carols in nursing homes and helped with Operation Christmas Child. She has always been happy with the final result, and the success of this year was no exception.

“The students gained a great sense of community from doing this. They are a great, friendly class that gets along well with each other,” Owens said.