St. Joseph’s Catholic School has announced that students have created decorated rocks which will be available for purchase Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market.
Proceeds from the rocks will be used to fund the needs of the Homeless Coalition of Jefferson County.
The small artworks, called “Kindness Rocks,” will be available for purchase between 8 a.m. and noon.
Students in grades 1-8 participating in art teacher Sara Cullen’s classes have been decorating the rocks for four weeks, according to a recent news release.
The rocks offer an array of sayings and designs.
According to the release, in the spring of last year, the Jefferson County Homeless Coalition reached out to St. Joseph’s school principal Kari Homb, asking if students would be interested in helping the organization with its project.
“The coalition wanted painted rocks,” the release noted, adding that Homb embraced the project, enlisting the help of Cullen.
Cullen was familiar with this rock concept, the release stated, adding: “This very simple, yet genius idea comes from the book ‘Scribble Stones’ by Diane Alber. Just like the book, Mrs. Cullen, along with St. Joe’s, was excited to find a way to spread happiness to the Homeless Coalition of Jefferson County.”
At the school, the release continued, Cullen began a discussion with her students, and read Scribble Stones to students in all of her classes. The story inspired her students.
Additionally, Cullen explained the important mission of the homeless coalition.
“The plan was set in stone to paint as many rocks as we could and then gift them to the homeless coalition where they would be given in exchange for a donation to the coalition. It is hard to truly make an impact on the world when you are just one kiddo or just one boring, insignificant rock, but together we could create happiness and allow our hearts to be shown on a simple, boring rock,” the release stated.
“All the children were so excited and jumped right on board. Our SJS students were feeling very driven to do whatever they could do to help the coalition. Every single child of St. Joe’s helped to paint their special design, seal the rocks, and display each of the rocks for a short time period in our school halls. They all wanted to do as many as they could,” Cullen was quoted as saying in the release.
The homeless coalition plans to sell the students’ creations for a goodwill donation, the release noted.
Three photos above: “Kindness Rocks,” made by students at St. Joseph’s School in Fort Atkinson have been donated to the Jefferson County Homeless Coalition. The rocks will be offered for sale for a goodwill donation Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market. Proceeds will be used to fund the needs of the coalition. Contributed photos.
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