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Parents, grandparents, teachers from all divisions, and staff lined up outside of the Lower School office on Thursday and Friday, September 16 and 17 to have have their shoes shined by third graders. The students set up the temporary shoeshine stand to raise money for "Blankets of Hope," a cancer patient support project started by last year's third graders.

"We had so many customers that we had to add an extra work station," said third grade teacher Margaret Bitz.

The children learned the craft while reading the book "The Shoeshine Girl" by Claude Bulla. Working side by side, the children buffed loafers, heels, and lace-ups to a glistening shine. They applied polish with their fingers and used an assortment of rags and brushes to produce the gleam of new leather.

Said one satisfied parent, "My shoes have never been shinier!"

At the end of the two days, third graders raised more than $1,121.13. "Some of the money will go toward the cost of materials for fleece blankets that we are making for people with cancer, and the remainder will be donated to further support the needs of patients," said Bitz.

"The support we received was unbelievable," she said. "The kids are so excited about how many people they are going to be able to help with the tips that they earned."