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G. Kerkstra Elementary School - Oak Forest Rotary
March 2008 Report from Kerkstra Principal:
I think that our EarlyAct Club has done an exceptional job with community service once again this year. We just completed a toy drive for the Pedatiric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (I have great pictures). We also have completed two food drives for local pantries in the area. We will be working with Feeding Children Worldwide to complete a food pack, where our students actually weigh, measure, seal and pack meals that will be sent across the world. When the time nears, we learn of the destination. We are also planning our second annual Mini-Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). We work closely with The Ceskas (the event chairs for the city Relay for Life) to plan this school-wide event. We are also members of the Ronald McDonald Thanks A million Club because we have collected over a million pop tabs. All proceeds collected from pop tabs go directly into the operating costs of the house. Currently we sponsor the house near Loyola, but in December we collected donations from the students (Ronald McDonald House Holiday Hats Day – wear a holiday hat for a donation) and purchased an ornament for the house near Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn (doors open in 2008). We also conducted a Slipper Sock Drive for the residents of The Pointe of Kilpatrick in Midlothian as the weather got colder. We began a community recycling program (bin in the parking lot) and now recycle at school – this was a student led initiative.
Our EarlyAct Club is sponsored by the Oak Forest Rotary Club. The mission of the club is to promote goodwill, understanding, and peace through active participation of its student members so that with committed citizenship and effective leadership they may improve the quality of their school, local, and global communities. It teaches caring, respect, empathy, responsibility, tolerance, citizenship, compassion, friendship and leadership – first hand.
As a principal, community service is of paramount importance and it is one of the first things that I spoke to the students, faculty and staff about when I began working at Kerkstra. I know that our students have made a difference in the lives of others. They feed and care for hungry and sick children and adults in our own neighborhood as well as around the world. They understand what they are doing and why it is important. I am very proud.
Let me know if you want more info or the dates of the mini-relay or food pack. I’d love to have you join us!
Lori J. Wazny, Ed.D.
Principal
Kerkstra Elementary School
708.687.2860
The Kerkstra EarlyAct Club was chartered in 2004.
The club is a school-wide organization with grade level student representatives, officers, advisors and teacher representatives. The entire school has embraced the mission to promote goodwill, understanding and peace through active participation so that with committed citizenship and leadership EarlyActors may improve the quality of life for their school, local and global communities.
Over the past several years we have collected toys for the Treasure Chest Foundation, which is an organization that supports more than 2400 children each month who are diagnosed with cancer and treated at one of the fifteen area hospitals. We have worked with Feeding Children Worldwide to facilitate a Food Pack. As part of our commitment to the local community we invited the EarlyActors from Ridge Early Childhood Center and the Oak Forest High School Interact Club to visit and assist with the Pack. We have developed a special relationship with the local food pantries, Oak Forest Hospital and Together We Cope and plan projects throughout the year to assist those in need who are our neighbors.
Joe Stazzone and Kyle Robbins serve as Kerkstra’s Advisors.
EarlyAct “Souper” 
Bowl Can Drive
Together with the EarlyActors at Ridge Early Childhood Center, Kerkstra held a soup drive for Together We Cope, a local agency helping families in need.
Click HERE for the pdf file of the 2006-2007 school year activity report from G. Kerkstra EarlyAct Club | 
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Millenium EarlyAct Club had their Chartering May 2nd 
The show stopper -- these Middle Schoolers presented President Jack a $500 check. They have sponsored many activities at their school this past year, one being a Shelter Box, a $1000 project.
Charter Night for 
