Parkway Elementary School students discovered the true meaning of giving in a school-wide community service project in Plainview. The entire student population collected diapers and other baby items for Baby Baskets, which they assembled and donated to the Life Center of Long Island in Deer Park, a local homeless shelter for mothers with infant children.

Representatives from the shelter accepted the donations on May 3 at the Parkway Elementary School in Plainview. BJs and Procter and Gamble presented the school with $200 worth of products for the project.

The Parkway School is one of 130 schools participating in Community SMARTS (Students Making A Road to Service), a program sponsored by BJs Wholesale Club and Procter and Gamble. The companies teamed up for the sixth year to challenge students to become more involved in community service by providing them with ideas and $200 worth of products for the community service project. In addition, BJs and Procter and Gamble will present the students with a $1,000 community service award. The school will use the donation toward a new playground for the children in the neighborhood and school.

"Students benefit because they have a direct involvement in putting the baskets together," said Ronelle Hershkowitz, principal of Parkway Elementary School. "They will have a foundation to draw upon from this experience. As they grow up, the children will be sensitive to the needs of others and continue to help the less fortunate."

The children filled laundry baskets with baby items, such as diapers, lotion and clothing. "It is very important for us at Parkway to teach children that they are lucky to have what they have and to be good citizens and help members of the community," said Hershkowitz. "I was very gratified because the children and the parents want to help others. I am forever doing this and the parents are forever helping. These are labors of love."

Parkway Elementary School is a partner in BJs Adopt-A-School program for the 2001-2002 school year. As a sponsor, BJs provides fundraising assistance, community service opportunities, awards programs, volunteer support and curriculum enhancements.

Chuck Adams and Brenda Dalyrimple from BJs, Lorraine Garibaldi from the Life Center and Mrs. Reis, a Parkway parent assisted Hershkowitz and her staff with the Baby Basket project.