Many students that attend Eleanor Roosevelt enjoy walking to Old Greenbelt, whether it’s with their friends, by themselves just to enjoy a nice walk or to go home. On the walk to Old Greenbelt across the bridge starting in the Greenbriar communities, after a short walk near a playground usually people are handing out treats to give to students. This kind gesture is greatly appreciated by many, as one student, Junior Sebastian Zeller says “I thought it was pretty sweet and also a very Greenbelt thing to do.” But the real question is, why do they do it? After interviewing Mary Wade and Debbie Cooley in addition to others, The Raider Review aims to figure out the reason behind this act.
Following our discussion with Ms. Wade and Ms. Cooley, it came to light that they only participate on Monday and the other days of the week members from the RUAK (Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness) group also help. After asking the pair why these foods were handed out, Ms.Wade said that it was initially to monitor the area. She says “When they [students] got to the bridge they were getting beaten up or people were bullying kids and taking what was theirs.” Now that this issue has diminished, this activity remains “a good way to be able to interact with the students and ask how their day was,¨ says Robert Goldberg-Strassler.
On Friday November 22nd, we went to conduct a final interview with Betty Sonneveldt who was lending her helping hand by giving out homemade cookies in addition to the usual carrots and store bought cookies. Ms. Sonneveldt says she enjoys being a part of this kind act because she believes it to be “a very very great thing to do.” Based on further information we received through Ms. Sonneveldt, in addition to the regular RUAK volunteers, members of the city council visit on the last Friday of every month to participate. So, next time you leave school, consider stopping by and getting a snack after a long day of learning.
