HARLEM — Dozens of Harlem fourth and fifth graders learned a lesson outside of the classroom Thursday.
The Kidz Give Back Foundation hosted a “Stuff With Love” event at P.S. 242 to build and dress stuffed animals — including bears, monkeys, lions and elephants — and write notes which will be donated to the Children’s Aid Society, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged youth.
“It’s really important that students understand that there are kids that are less fortunate than them,” said P.S. 242 Principal Marcia Hendricks.
“The kids are excited and the aim is to teach our kids to be international citizens.”
Students from P.S. 241 also joined the event, at which nearly 100 stuffed animals were made.
“It feels good because I’m helping kids who don’t have toys and this is my first time doing charity,” said Rokhaya Diakhate, a fourth grader at P.S. 242.
The foundation, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, was founded in 2010 by two teens — Layla Wofsy, 15, and Maya Wofsy, 13 — after Layla held a Build-a-Bear party when she was 7 years old. That morphed into a charity organization when Layla asked her mom to give the bears to less fortunate kids.
“In the past few years it has grown immensely,” Layla said at the event. “It feels so good.”
The organization travels to different towns, cities and schools throughout the Tri-State area hosting events.