ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Some Roanoke City students played in the 9th annual Turkey Bowl Wednesday. The students are learning what Thanksgiving is really about.
Fourth and fifth-grade students at Crystal Spring Elementary School battled for bragging rights on the flag football field but it's the Rescue Mission that will come out on top. The students play to raise money for the Mission. The school has given more than $25,000 to the Rescue Mission through the event and one of the fifth grade teachers says donations come in the form of small bills and change, often from kids' piggy banks.
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Leading up to the flag football game fourth and fifth graders write an essay. This year's topic... " What character traits are necessary for a successful life?"
"The rescue mission is built off of donations. When we give them donations it helps them to get people meals and beds to sleep in at night," said Becca Collier, a Crystal Spring 5th grader.
"There are so many important things we should be teaching our children, parents, teachers, schools, and communities. This is about more than grades, academic achievement, test scores. It's about being a good citizen, being a good person and giving back to your community," said Wade Whitehead, a Crystal Spring 5th grade teacher.
Students from preschool to fifth grade create Thanksgiving placemats and favors that they brought to the Rescue Mission. They also toured the shelter to learn more about the mission.