On Labor Day Weekend, a national holiday time recognizing the work of others, two Shelton School students did not take time off.  Instead, they developed and worked the entire weekend with a lawn service project that benefitted Hurricane Harvey victims.

Sixth-grader Braiden Kuiper and fourth-grader Matthew Swartz, carpool buddies, cooked up the idea one morning during their ride to school.  After hearing much discussion about those in need following the hurricane, the boys decided to spend Labor Day weekend earning money to help victims of Harvey.  They created a flyer to tout their services to mow lawns, weed out flower beds, water flowers, and do other odd jobs.  Word spread in the neighborhood, and the boys landed 20 jobs.  Instead of a lazy holiday weekend, the friends worked 10 am – 6 pm each day.  Together they raised $1,742.

Braiden and Matthew used all their proceeds at a Costco shopping spree that netted 958 pounds of food used to provide some 640 meals via the North Texas Food Bank.  The twosome sent each customer a thank-you note and included a photo of the purchased food and supply items.

This individual project complements a larger schoolwide endeavor being undertaken at Shelton during the upcoming holiday season in which the school will help Schmalz Elementary in Katy Independent School District.

Says Assistant Head of Upper Elementary Christine Davis, “We are grateful to have students who have learned at such an early age to help others.”