Round Rock ISD students are learning about the joy of giving this holiday season.
Herrington Elementary School and Teravista Elementary were just two of the elementary schools that went head-to-head late last month to see who could collect the most coats to donate to the Junior League of Austin’s 37th annual Coats for Kids.
“We try to give every kid that doesn’t have a coat in the community a coat. That way they can go outside, go to school, and they can play at recess,” said Clayton Nelms, the fifth-grade Student Lighthouse President who helped coordinate Teravista’s coat drive.
At the close of the drive, Teravista collected 925 coats.
Meanwhile, Herrington more than doubled its collection from last year. The school donated 1,598 coats, a number that helped them secure their third “Most Coats Collected in the Elementary School Category” win.
Herrington staff put bins outside each classroom, as well as one outside the main entrance so that community members could donate. Staff also incentivized students with prizes.
“There was pop-its, other weird fidget toys, toys in general… I think there was like pencils… really fun stuff that you could get from our treasure box,” said Kennedy Neubauer, a fifth-grader at Herrington Elementary.
Prizes aside, the children said they learned why it’s important to give to those in need.
“I think it’s really important to give coats, cause, like, if you have a coat that doesn’t fit anymore why just waste it or like throw it away when you could donate it to Coats for Kids and make a kid really happy and so he wouldn’t be freezing waiting for the bus or something,” said Abram Zander, another fifth-grader at Herrington Elementary.
After the competitions, volunteers collected the coats and dropped them off at Jack Brown Cleaners, where they will be cleaned prior to being sent to the Junior League of Austin for sorting and distribution.
“It’ll feel so good when we get to see the kids get their coats, but I’m happy that they’re just getting coats,” said Clayton.
