A Luverne day care took steps recently to help Ukrainian families overcome separation and, in some instances, the loss of their homes as their country came under military attack in late February.
Madison Crabtree, who manages Happy Campers Day Care for Ali Dinger, shared Ukrainian news with the children under her care.
“Seeing the videos of children — families separated — got me thinking we can do something,” Crabtree said.
She and her grandmother, Jeanne Bowron, organized homemade crafts created by the ten children, ages 2 through 5, to sell from a “store” in the garage.
“I was really excited about Madison’s idea when she first approached me with it,” Dinger said.
“I knew it would be an educational and challenging opportunity for the kids to make some of the projects, but they all did great.”
The children also embraced the idea, raising $1,000 to give to World Vision Ukraine Crisis Fund from the March 17-18 sale.
Crabtree said she chose to give to the crisis fund due to the familiarity her family has with the organization. They’ve sponsored a child through World Vision and were comfortable with the non-profit’s work.
For almost two weeks, Crabtree and Bowron helped the children make tie blankets, headbands, homemade dog treats and refrigerator magnets.
Crabtree then invited friends and family to the 90-minute sale on both days.
“The kids were very excited,” Crabtree said. “When a customer would arrive, the kids would try to sell everything to them.”
The freewill donation sale raised $997.
“I threw in the extra $3,” Crabtree said.
The fundraiser was a teaching moment for the children.
“No age is too young to start realizing the importance of compassion and helping others,” Crabtree said.
“It is so important with all the negativity in the world right now that we start to set an example for the next generation — grabbing any moment to demonstrate compassion will have an impact.”
Weeks after the fundraising event, Crabtree said the children still talk about the store, frequently asking if they can do a store again.
“They also ask if we can invite (the Ukrainian children) to come to Miss Ali’s and Miss Maddie’s to play,” Crabtree said. “They were so sweet.”