No one wants to break this chain

For every good deed they observed or pledged, students at St. Joseph School on Capitol Hill added a link in a construction paper chain. Each link contained a message written in wobbly, grade-school script.

• "I will pray every night and morning."
• "I will share my old clothes with homeless children."

On Wednesday, the school’s 600 students stretched the chain around the block as a helicopter hovered overhead, taking aerial pictures.

Michele Rebert, a parent, smiled as she watched children stretch the chain down the sidewalk.

"It inspires me to be a better person," she said.



The chain and the deeds were inspired by Rachel’s Challenge, a program named for Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Rachel’s brother visited St. Joe’s last year and spoke to students about his sister’s kindness and compassion.

Students also collected about eight barrels, or 1,600 pounds, of food for the Rainier Valley Food Bank. The donations will be matched by a grant that doubles every can, dollar or pound of food donated, said Amanda Kelly, a St. Joe’s parent who helped organize the drive. The food drive started February 25, the beginning of Lent.

Fifth-graders at the school also donated money that they earned themselves, either by doing odd jobs or completing chores for their parents.  Their quarters and pennies added up to $176 that will go to help support the food bank.

"Kids are really getting involved in helping the food banks," said Laurie Thompson, board president of the Rainier Valley Food Bank, over the din of the church bells. "It’s great to see."