Kindness Rocks: Area students join after school craft club

Posted 10/27/22

Former Southside Elementary School para-educator Diana Fulton had two loves: working with children and crafting.

In honor of Fulton, who passed away last November at the age of 54, more than 100 …

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Kindness Rocks: Area students join after school craft club

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Former Southside Elementary School para-educator Diana Fulton had two loves: working with children and crafting.

In honor of Fulton, who passed away last November at the age of 54, more than 100 Powell elementary students signed up for the first of several crafting events to be held through the end of the school year.

“We had many donations from people who wanted to do something that was kid related. So we started the craft club,” said Pokey Heny, Diana’s sister and a para at Westside.

The project for the inaugural event was creating kindness rocks. Children were guided by a host of volunteers from both in the school system and area parents to create their own kindness rock with several themes. Many of the children chose a Halloween theme, complete with spooky spiders, black cats and candy.

The rocks were donated by Heny, who owns the American Dream Drive-in and gathered the rocks from the property. Her sister used to work there as well. 

“This is great. Diana would have loved it. She wouldn’t have turned anyone away and she would have loved that we are spreading joy,” Heny said. “The most important thing is they get to take their projects home and then go spread kindness in the community.”

The group met in the commons at Powell Middle School. They will meet once a month until school is out to make different art projects. Holiday-themed crafts will be featured during the November and December club dates.

Space is limited for the popular program, Heny said. She was touched by the large turnout, enthusiasm from volunteers in the school system and community, and by her own family. Heny’s three daughters, Melissa Gernhart, a second grade teacher, Jaci Hitz, a middle school teacher, and Danielle Betters, a nurse, also volunteered. The school district helped with additional funding.

Children are also provided with snacks during the one hour program.

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