Christmas Tree Ship Learning / Celebration

Our classroom will be honoring the spirit of giving on Friday Dec. 22nd with a donation of mittens or hats (brand new only) to His Harvest Stand a local nonprofit organization.  In the past H.H.S. has reported they are in need of these items later in the winter.   We will box them up and give them to H.H.S. in February, as they are typically flooded with goods at Christmas time but running low during the latter part of winter.

During the last week before break we will learn about the Rouse Simmons, better know as the Christmas Tree Ship.  The Rouse Simmons was a famous schooner that brought thousands of Christmas trees each Christmas season to Chicagoans, and gave a portion of its trees away to needy families.  Unfortunately, a strong gale hit Lake Michigan on November 23, 1912, which encased the Rouse Simmons in ice and she sunk near Two Rivers Wisconsin with all hands and cargo.  Today, the U.S. Coast Guard carries on the Rouse Simmons tradition by bringing trees to Chicago’s needy families at Navy Pier.

So, honoring this giving tradition in our own fifth grade way we would like to make a mitten & hat donation to His Harvest Stand in lieu of a gift exchange.  We will be having a little “ceremony/party” on the 18th when we hope to fill a box full of mittens/hats to give to the needy of our area this Christmas season.  We will be viewing a fantastic History Channel Storm Stories episode on the famous Christmas Tree Ship on Lake Michigan.  If any parents would like to donate a few 2 liters of soda and some Christmas cookies for our party, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please email me bbraymer@zps.org