GALION — The Galion Intermediate School The fifth-grade classes of Paula Prince and Jon Stinehour at Galion Intermediate School embarked on a journey to help the community during the 2016-17 school year.

The students developed an idea to help raise money for the Humane Society serving Crawford County. On the first and third Fridays of every month students throughout the Intermediate School could dress down if they donated a quarter for the cause.

Once those quarters were collected, the teachers needed to make sure students handled the money correctly.

Prince approached Intermediate School Principal Alex Sharick, and he shared the idea of talking to district Treasurer Charlene Parkinson.

“I reached out to Mrs. Parkinson right away and she offered to help make our community service project more hands-on and real -world,” said Prince. “Her idea was to teach the students how to count the money and fill out deposit slips when monies were collected.”

Parkinson visited the classrooms twice a month to help students learn about collecting and counting money, as well as how to fill out deposit tickets. She also worked with United Bank’s Mrs. Jennifer Kuns to plan a field trip for students so they could deposit the money that they counted.

“These experiences have really been beneficial to our students and have given them some life lessons along the way,” said Prince. “I am hopeful that they look back on their fifth-grade year and remember the good they did for our community as well as the life lessons that they have learned while giving to others.”

The students surprised Parkinson during the school day and showered her with cards and thanks May 18. It was a gesture that was completely unexpected.

“Ms. Prince and Mr. Stinehour, along with their students, are an incredible group,” said Parkinson. “It has been a great pleasure working with the students, and I look forward to helping future Tigers learn the basics of handling money.”

The students and teachers will present the final check to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County at the society’s building Saturday, May 23.

“I think that it is very important for our students to interact with other members of the Galion City School District’s staff and administration because each person has something to give, something to teach our students,” said Prince. “Not only did our students create a bond with Mrs. Parkinson this year, but they also grew to value her as a person, and in doing that, they learned invaluable life skills.”