"Make a Child Smile"
June 17th, Del Mar Faire Field TripThank you Nice Guys for helping our school complete our very special project!

Artist/designer Krystina Grammatica has been working with our students creating pieces from recycle fabrics and remnants. In 2005 students made little stuffed hugables (bears and other creatures) filled with love and sweet smelling, healing herbs. It was our plan to donate these dolls to other children who might be in some need or tenderness.

In 2005 , the Del Mar Faire held a special one day contest, "Help a Child Smile", on Friday, June 17th. The "Help a Child Smile" contest required the students to make a soft animal or doll to enter in a one day contest which were judge the workmanship, beauty and originality of design, and harmony of color and materials. All the entries become property of the Fair and then were donated to the Palomar Pomerado Health System, Child Abuse Program. Through Social Services at the hospital, the program shared these stuffed animal, dolls, and toys with children who have experienced a traumatic or difficult time. This opportunityl gave our students a chance to not only see their work judge against other pieces building their own artistic aesthetic, but also raised their consciousness about other children in need, and provided an opportunity for them to also make a contribution. It is sometimes difficult to part with something that you have devoted great time, effort, and care in making. Giving that away served a wonderful lesson towards developing good, contributing citizens for our greater community. We had initially planned to get a district school bus to take us to the faire that day. Unfortunately, with district cut backs, we were not able to make that arrangement and $400.00 to hire a bus from a private company was prohibitive. Thanks to the generousity of the "Nice Guys" and Mr. Dale Jack, our students were able to go!