Exceptional Children Program at Southwest Elementary Nominated for National Kindness Award

Students and teachers in the exceptional children (EC) program at Southwest Elementary School have been nominated for a Charlotte Bacon Acts of Kindness Award.

Here’s how that came about:

Each year, Southwest speech therapists Maria Vernon and Beth Dodson organize a lemonade stand through Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise money for cancer research. Working on the project - making signs, making the lemonade and selling it – also helps students develop their communication skills.

This past year, Fox8 television did a story on the stand. To see the story, go to  Fox8

After the shootings at the school in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012, the family of one of the children, Charlotte Bacon, founded an organization called Newtown Kindness.One of the things this organization does is award the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award each year on her birthday.

In an email about the nomination, Principal Matt Dixson wrote:

“In the fall, the parent of one of the first recipients of the award contacted me after finding the Fox8 story online. We communicated via email and phone for several weeks because she wanted to nominate our EC students for their work on the lemonade stand. I worked with the families involved and got written permission from many of them to be included in the nomination. I received an email today from Charlotte Bacon's grandfather that they have officially been nominated. Nominations are open until Feb. 1 and the awards ceremony will be Feb. 22 (Charlotte's birthday).

“I thought it was a huge honor for our school, EC students/teachers, and for the school system and wanted to pass it along.”

This past June, the school raised more than $800 at the lemonade stand, Vernon said, by selling lemonade at 25 cents a cup as well as “ generous donations from staff, students and community members….There was so much support from all of the classes, teachers, administration, parents and community to make this possible.

“There is a book that we have available for all students and staff to read a few weeks before the lemonade stand to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer research.  The book is called Alex and The Amazing Lemonade Stand written by Alex and her parents and the book tells all about Alex, her life and how Alex was determined to help others!  My favorite quote from this book comes at the end, ‘There’s a lesson to be learned from the Lemonade girl with pretty blue eyes and hair that once curled. You see, Alex lived by the words from which her foundation was laid….when life gives you lemons, just make lemonade.’

“This nomination for the Charlotte Bacon act of kindness award is such an honor and we are so proud of our school and students.”