GEORGETOWN, Del.- Kindergarten and first grade students at Sussex Academy Elementary School recently completed a creative and caring project that transformed trash into treasure for children in hospitals.
The students collected nearly 113 pounds of used crayons to support The Crayon Initiative, a nonprofit that recycles unwanted crayons into new ones for pediatric patients across the United States.
The program not only supports children facing medical challenges but also helps reduce waste. By collecting and donating used crayons, Sussex Academy students helped give those wax pieces a second life.
According to the school, teachers incorporated math and science into the effort, with students weighing, sorting and organizing the crayons by color before they were packed for shipping.
Kindergarten teacher Laurie Smailer said the project gave students a sense of pride and purpose.
“We are so proud of our students for their hard work and compassion,” Smailer said. “They not only learned valuable lessons about caring for the planet, but also about how their actions can make a difference in the lives of others.”
Kindergartener Karson Maull shared his excitement, saying, “It makes me happy to know that children in hospitals will be receiving new crayons from our classes.”
Classmate Jake O’Connell added, “I liked collecting crayons, but I’d really love to see them being melted down and recycled.”
Smailer said the project aims to teach young students the value of kindness, responsibility and service.