CougarsCARE returns eager to help with Power of Play toy drive

McKINNEY, Texas – The second annual CougarsCARE at Valley Creek Elementary are eager to provide over 600 elementary students an opportunity to show kindness and support for patients fighting for their lives at Children’s Medical Center Legacy.
McKINNEY, Texas – The second annual CougarsCARE at Valley Creek Elementary are eager to provide over 600 elementary students an opportunity to show kindness and support for patients fighting for their lives at Children’s Medical Center Legacy.
 
CougarsCARE is an annual community outreach effort at Valley Creek designed to encourage and empower each of their students to help when they can, because they can.
 
This year, CougarsCARE teams with Children’s for a competitive school-wide toy drive called the “Power of Play”. Based on expressed needs by Children’s, each grade level – Kindergarten through 5th grade – will be assigned a specific line of new toys to help replenish what is needed for “play” by the children undergoing treatment for a serious illness. A numeric goal has been set for each grade level’s toy drive item. The event has been sponsored by Target and Party City.
 
Two opening ceremonies are scheduled to kickoff this effort on Friday, Nov. 6 at Valley Creek Elementary. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will commence in the morning at 9 a.m. Third grade through 5th grade will have their opening ceremonies at 2:45 p.m.
 
“CougarsCARE has encouraged each child and staff member at Valley Creek to open up their hearts,” said Linda Garvey, Valley Creek Elementary Prinicpal. “They are learning that just down the road from our school are children that are hurting and fighting for their lives. Play is a big part of every child's life and they want to provide toys for sick children who also love to play.”
 
During the opening day, each student will return to class with a medical bracelet, identical those given to patients of Children’s Medical Center. The bracelet will have a first name and diagnoses of a child presently battling a serious illness at Children’s. Students will be given just one personalized bracelet, identifying one person to help, and will be encouraged to wear their bracelets as a daily reminder to help when you can.
 
“Our hope is to develop hearts that care and minds that think at Valley Creek and CougarsCARE helps us achieve that goal,” said Garvey. “I think this year our Valley Creek family will be touched in a special way as we embrace the love that will be shared with our new friends.”
 
“This year during CougarsCARE, the Valley Creek 4th and 5th grade student council will be doing a documentary on the “Power of Play” showcasing what "need" looks like and what "help" looks like from a kids perspective,” said Sara Abbott, CougarsCARE organizer and supporter. “This is what we are talking about with CougarsCARE – a kid-driven community outreach effort that changes the way children see their role in a community for the rest of their lives.”
 
For more information on CougarsCARE, please contact Sara Abbott, CougarsCARE organizer, at saraabbott75070@tx.rr.com or 214-505-5781.
For additional information about the McKinney Independent School District, contact Cody Cunningham, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications at cocunningham@mckinneyisd.net or Justin Acker, Communications Specialist, at jacker@mckinneyisd.net. Both can be reached by phone at 469-742-4095.