Character In Action: How Our Children Learn Through Philanthropy

Philanthropy has always been at the heart of our commitment to serve families at Kiddie Academy of Gaithersburg. Guided by our Character Essentials® curriculum, we engage children in discussions that promote kindness, generosity, and responsibility. Our hope is that when students see and learn about these qualities, they also practice them inside the classroom and out in the community through meaningful opportunities to give back. For us, giving is not just something to do during the holidays. It is a year-round expression of who we are.
One of our proudest traditions is the Children’s Art Show & Charity Auction. This event blends creativity with compassion, showing children that their artwork can help change lives. Within the past three years, our community raised $2,222 for the MED13L Foundation, in honor of one of our students, and $1,770 for Ryan’s Place Foundation. We also raised over $2,500 for Operation Smile, helping provide life-changing surgeries for children born with cleft conditions. Featured organizations have included Comfort Cases, Save the Children, and the Kiddie Academy Community Fund. Each year, we are reminded that when families come together, art becomes more than expression. It becomes hope.
Our giving extends far beyond a single event. Together, we donated 123 toys to Stepping Stones Shelter and 152 pantry items to Gaithersburg HELP. We filled backpacks with school supplies for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, sent stuffed animals to Comfort Cases, and collected donations for Identity, Inc. to support Latino youth and their families. These moments remind our children that even the smallest contribution can brighten someone else’s day.
These achievements are more than numbers. They reflect the Character Essentials® framework in action, where children learn not only to be curious and confident learners but also to be compassionate citizens. Our curriculum emphasizes building responsibility, respect, and a sense of community, giving children opportunities to see how their actions can make a real difference in the lives of others. When our students donate a stuffed animal, help collect canned goods, or talk about kindness in class, they’re practicing lessons that will guide them throughout their lives.
Teaching children why giving matters is crucial. Through our partnership with The Giving Square, our Pre-K and Kindergarten students participate in hands-on workshops that help them understand that philanthropy can start with their own choices. In our classrooms, initiatives such as Random Acts of Kindness continue that spirit daily, allowing students to practice empathy in simple, meaningful ways.
As we look toward the season of thankfulness, we’re reminded that our mission goes beyond academics. Community impact is an essential part of who we are at Kiddie Academy of Gaithersburg. By involving children in service projects and showing them the joy of giving, we’re nurturing character as much as we’re nurturing young minds.
We invite our families to continue this journey with us. Whether by donating, volunteering, or simply reinforcing lessons of kindness and empathy at home, your partnership helps children see the power of their actions. Together, we are raising not just students, but thoughtful, caring citizens who will carry these values with them for life.