Students make pillowcases for Austin's House

For the second year in a row, Scarselli Elementary teachers Jill Monfiletto and Kerry Klubben had their students make pillowcases for others in need.

"Last year, we made pillowcases for a cancer hospital," Monfiletto said. "This time, a parent had a great idea to do something for Douglas County."

On April 23, more than 30 second-graders were busy spreading out fabrics across their classroom floor and sewing the colorful pieces together. Each student made two pillowcases, one for themselves and one to donate to Austin's House, the group home in north Douglas County for abused and neglected children.

"This is part of our community service," said Monfiletto. "Last year, the kids had so much fun. Some of them had never even seen a sewing machine."

Helping the students make their pillowcases were a half-dozen parent volunteers, including Principal Brandon Swain's wife, Kathy, and Scarselli dishwasher Annette Gilbert.

"I couldn't have done it without Annette," said Monfiletto. "She helped cut out all the fabric."

Eight-year-old Joseph Tindle was among those students who had never used a sewing machine before.

"I'm getting it down pretty quickly," he said.

He had chosen a race-car fabric for his pillowcase.

"It looked cool to me," he said. "I think a boy would like it better than a girl."

Waiting to pick out her fabric was classmate Andrea Perry.

"I think it's fun because I've never made pillowcases before," said the 8-year-old.

Unlike Joseph, Andrea had used a sewing machine before.

"It's cool because we get to help out other people," she said. "I think it will make them feel happy instead of sad."