Students participating in B.D. Lee Elementary School's Project G.O.A.L. raised donations in recent weeks to help four local nonprofit agencies, hoping to make the organizations' mission of helping those less fortunate much easier. Excellence in academics earned a select group of B.D. Lee Elementary School students a place in Project G.O.A.L., a talented and gifted program at the school.

Though earning high marks on their report cards is something to be proud of, program instructor Karen Henderson wanted to make sure students were given all the tools necessary to do their part to help out in the community.

After looking through the newspaper a few weeks ago, Henderson said she came across an advertisement in which Cherokee County nonprofit agencies listed items necessary to help local residents in need.

“When I saw the advertisement, it seemed like a good idea for the school to lend its hand to help these agencies help those in our community,” Henderson said. “We aim for our students to excel academically, but we also want them to be sound in caring for their neighbors and those less fortunate.”

For the past several weeks, students in the Project G.O.A.L. program brought in items ranging from canned goods, soft drinks and paper towels to dog food in an effort to make things easier for four local nonprofit groups this holiday season.

Opening their hearts to those receiving assistance from the Cherokee Children's Home, PeachCenter Ministries, and the local branches of the American Red Cross and Humane Society, students presented representatives of the organizations with the fruits of their “harvest” last Thursday.

Among those happy to see the students’ generosity was PeachCenter Ministries Executive Director Tammie McGee, who said the items donated to the group could not have come at a better time.

“Last month, we served more than 300 families, a lot of them who have been laid off from their jobs or had their hours cut,” McGee said. “It’s wonderful that you thought about them as you never know when you or a family member may be in need. We appreciate these items and know they will be put them to good use.”

Henderson said students will continue to donate goods through the end of the semester.

“Being able to do something good for someone else is why we’re doing this,” Henderson said. “That’s why we’re serving the community.”