Preschoolers Learn a Lesson About Giving

Traffic was stopped by police on Victory Boulevard on Friday morning for a less than usual reason: A parade of preschoolers on a mission.

About 50 children, escorted by their parents, were hauling food in wagons to a nearby Salvation Army office, as part of an annual tradition to help poor families.

“We want them to have a sense of caring for the community at large,” said Betty Daratsos, director of the Van Nuys Presbyterian Developmental Preschool. “It’s a great learning experience. Children think, ‘give me, give me, give me. What am I going to get?’ Well how about some giving?”

At 9:30 a.m. the children got a lesson in giving when they left their school at 14701 Friar St., and walked several blocks to the Salvation Army Community Center at 14917 Victory Blvd. The kids, ages 2 to 5, tugged wagons filled with canned meats and vegetables, beans and rice, cereals and other nonperishable foods.

“OK guys, pull. If you get tired let me know,” said teacher Kevin Gallagher to a couple of boys pulling a loaded-down wagon.

John Oldach brought a video camera to shoot footage of his 5-year-old son Nash in action. “They focus away from themselves, from the acquisition of toys and all that commercial nonsense,” said Oldach, of Van Nuys.

At the community center, Salvation Army Capt. Luis Diaz said the food couldn’t have arrived at a better time--the children’s donation will be part of the 3,000 pounds of food distributed to 1,500 people during the holidays.

“It’s important to know how to give,” said Diaz.