Originally published on KSHB Channel 41 
Charlie Keegan
12:47 PM, Apr 27, 2018

ROELAND PARK, Kan. – Teachers told students to put down their books Friday at St. Agnes Catholic School. It was the school’s annual day of volunteering, nicknamed “Rams Reaching Out Day,” after the school’s mascot.

The pre-k through 8th-grade school partners with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas to show students how they can make a difference. The thought is by introducing the entire student population to charitable opportunities, they will be more likely to donate time and resources to charity in the future.

“I’m trying to plant that seed when they’re little,” admitted Principal Jane Sullivan. “To be able to say, ‘You can make a difference. Just one person at a time, but we can spread our kindness.’ That’s really what we’re after.”

The message hit students. They decorated lunch sacks Catholic Charities uses to deliver meals from its food pantries. They also made greeting cards and rosaries to pass out.

One fourth-grade boy explained his class collected donations prior to Friday.

“We are donating things for Catholic Charities to give out to people who don’t have shampoo and soap or food and water,” said Josh Collins.

At the end of the day, the school hosts an assembly where students share what they did and what they learned to help cement the message of service.