By David Karas  | Correspondent

In an effort that blended lessons in math, social studies and religion, students in St. Jerome School, West Long Branch, found a creative way to benefit their local community.

The third-grade class, under the guidance of teacher Cathy Longano, engaged in a project entitled “Change for Change” – geared towards mobilizing the students to support the local Habitat for Humanity, and challenging students to raise money on their own.

“This project was done to reinforce a lesson on volunteering,” said Longano. “The students were to collect money of their own, either by earning it themselves or giving money they already had but simply chose to donate.”

All told, the students raised $141.86 – an impressive feat, Longano says, considering that they raised the funds completely on their own either through performing chores or donating leftover money they might have had from birthday gifts or Christmas presents.

“The class was very dedicated to collecting as much money as they could,” said Longano. “They worked very hard and I’m so proud of them.”

Longano added that the students were very excited to present their donations to Habitat for Humanity – a representative of which lauded their efforts, noting that often it is groups of older students who tend to engage in community projects.

“To hear that my class, at such a young age, participated in such a project and can make a difference was extraordinary,” said Longano.

She also explained that the project did far more than to encourage a spirit of service – it touched on a variety of disciplines.

“The basis of (the project) was a social studies lesson on volunteering. The main focus was to provide knowledge and experience of volunteering; what it is exactly and why it’s so important to a community,” said Longano. “The project also incorporated math, as the class counted their own money they had in their Change for Change boxes and added it together.”

Most importantly, the project touched on lessons the students have learned in their religion classes, she said, notably the message shared by Jesus that it is important to love and care for others.

“St. Jerome School fosters in its students a sincere, lasting appreciation and love for our communities and a continuing growth in love of God and neighbor through our Catholic faith and values,” she said.

Beyond the financial aspect of the support that the third graders have provided to Habitat for Humanity is a lasting symbol of their care and concern for the less fortunate: the students  were able to sign a piece of lumber that will be used in a new home the organization will construct.