Event to benefit Animal Rescue League

KINGSTON, R.I. – November 25, 2008 – The Child Development Center works to help children develop empathy and a sense of compassion for others. With that in mind, the center is holding its eighth-annual Art Exchange to benefit the Animal Rescue League.

Children from the center – which is run by the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies – have spent several weeks creating a wide range of items such as refrigerator magnets, picture frames, key chains, note cards and bookmarks. The items will be available in the main lounge of the Memorial Union on Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“This is a lesson for our children on how they can work to help others in need,” said Sue Warford, coordinator of the Kingston Child Development Center. “Most of the children have a natural interest in animals, so it is a natural fit to raise money for something they care about.”

Staff members and children from the center will be on hand to work the exchange, during which items can be exchanged for donations of any amount. In previous years, the exchange has raised as much as $650 for charity.

Pictured above

From left to right: Sahar Hamidzada, teacher Jessica MacLeod, Henry

O’Brien and his father Michael O’Brien work at last year’s Child Development Center Art Exchange in the Memorial Union. This year’s exchange will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. Photo courtesy of Sue Warford.