Gwinnett County Teacher Uses Winter Break for Teachable Moments

Contributed by Colleen Dagenhard

At a time when most Gwinnett County Public School teachers are looking forward to some well-deserved R & R, l sixth-grade Special Education teacher Kristin Allen embraces the Winter Break as a time for teachable moments. Allen, along with her three sons and their friends, took on several volunteer projects which address the needs of those less fortunate individuals, both locally and across the globe.

What began as an idea to prevent boredom over the break, as well as foster volunteerism in her own home and the homes of her children’s peers, quickly took shape as what Allen refers to as “Ten Days of Service”.

“The Season shouldn’t be all about ‘getting’, “ said Allen, “There needs to be a lot more ‘giving.’”

And give they did. Mrs. Allen and her three sons, 11th-graders Palmer and Kyle Boykin and ninth-grader Davis Boykin, along with fellow Archer High students, Saul Agis, 12th grade, Taylor Dove and Nick Barnard, 11th-graders, Brandi Hawkins, 10th grade, and Georgia Tech freshman, Paige Selent, collected coats for the Homeless of Gwinnett, shaved soap for the Global Soap Project, boxed books for Books for Africa and investigated several other opportunities to keep the spirit of giving back going well into 2012 and beyond.

“I don't think we will really know what the experience means until later. My hope was that it might spark one of them to do something similar where they really like helping other people as opposed to getting a job that makes them the most money,” Allen said.

Allen encourages others to do the same. “ I think sometimes people think they don't have time or afraid of doing something different.“

Allen senses the reaction from her family and friends, as well as the community, has been a positive one. “They think it's great what I'm trying to do for these kids which is make them see a bigger world than just what's right in front of them. Their lives are very insulated.”

Allen found some opportunities through the organization Hands on Atlanta, however wanted to also embrace the needs of those within her own community. Gwinnett Coalition for the Homeless provided a local connection. When Allen saw the coats piled up, unclaimed, in McConnell’s lost and found, she was hit with an idea. “My thought was that if people didn't have money for housing they probably don't have money to buy a winter coat.”

The school advertised all week that the coats would go to charity. On Friday, Allen took them all home to be redistributed among the county’s most needy men, women and children. She and her team of volunteers also asked friends and neighbors for coats, sweaters, blankets and warm clothing that could be given to homeless families.

“It has made me think about how much we throw away. All the waste.” Allen said, “I took the coats to an extended stay hotel over at Highway 316 and they were so appreciative.”

For many parents, getting your kids to volunteer their time, especially during a much-anticipated school break, may seem a most daunting task. But, if, like Allen, you find you’d like to take advantage of the free time to teach them about giving to others within their community as well as globally, take her advice; find something the kids can relate to, such as Books for Africa. Allen’s own children - avid readers all - could appreciate the need for books in such a poor and dire environment.

“I want to teach my boys that the world is big, but we are all connected. If a book is sent to Africa, it keeps it out of a landfill here, provides an education to a person who would not have one and maybe that person then grows up and does something profound that helps the world,” Allen said.

Ultimately, service to others impacts all of us in a positive way. Most projects require volunteers to be over the age of 16, so it’s best to do a bit of research before committing to a specific opportunity. But, take a cue from Allen and remember, even the smallest opportunity to reach out to others, in your community and beyond, can plant a seed of caring in your teenager.