A group of Windsor Central School District students, teachers and staff made a special delivery to a local elderly couple the day before Thanksgiving, but it had nothing to do with turkey, stuffing or pumpkin pie.

The group split “three or four” cords of wood for the Windsor couple, and piled it next to their home. Before the donation the couple had a small supply that wouldn’t have lasted far into the winter. The couple wished to remain anonymous for this article but expressed their appreciation for the students. 

 

 

The husband had visited the District Office to pay his taxes and shared the need he and his wife, who is battling cancer, had for the firewood. The story reached community school coordinators Sue Jones and Mandolyn McConaha, who spoke to the family.

“We saw this could be a civic activity. The kids could be generous and give back. They could realize they have the chance to make an impact on someone’s life,” said Jones.

Windsor Assistant Fire Chief Craig Terrell donated the wood. Then a dozen students, along with teachers and staff got to work splitting and stacking.

 

“We’re helping someone out before their Thanksgiving and we’re making it kind of special,” said 7th grader Austin Bennett.

 

“I just came out to help these guys. I know they couldn’t do it themselves so I just wanted to help,” said 7th grader Steven Pough.

The students ranged from elementary school, middle school and high school.

 

“It was my day off and my buddy was doing it. I wasn’t doing anything else and thought I’d help out the community,” said high school senior Jordan Leidecker.

 

 

 

“We want to give (students) ownership, give them a feeling of helping people. We want to let them know there’s a bigger purpose for all of them,” said teacher Joel Bennett. “It’s also a great relationship builder for the kids.”

 

While this stack of firewood is complete, similar projects may soon be on tap.

 

“This is really what we want to start doing on a regular basis,” said Jones.