Young readers in the second grade at Hilltop Elementary as well as those at the New Sweden, Woodland and Connor schools, recently received their very own books, this year autographed by author, Audrey Penn presented to them by board members of the Marissa E. Lloyd Sunshine Fund.
On May 26 Lynn Greenier, a teacher at the Woodland Consolidated School and board member of the organization explained to the Hilltop students that Marissa was a second-grader at Hilltop at the time of her death and she was very caring and liked to help others. Marissa continues to touch the lives of others and this means she lived and died with a purpose.
As part of the presentation, Greenier spoke about bullying with the second-graders, reminding them that it can happen anywhere and by anyone. It could be a child, an uncle, aunt, neighbor or even a parent — and that they, even as children, have the right to use their voice by telling a trusted adult about the problem. “Bullying is not your fault and should be stopped immediately,” said Greenier.
With bullying becoming such a huge problem in schools across the nation, we thought this would be a great time to address the problem and with over half of the children ordering, “Chester the Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully,” as their choice of a book by Audrey Penn, we realize this is a problem,” stated Connie Lloyd, Marissa’s grandmother. “It is our hope that this dialogue helps children that may be scared to speak out when being bullied or abused that they know they have the right to speak out and be heard,” she said.
“Marissa would be so proud. She loved to read, was a good friend and loved to help anyone in need,” stated Kristin Lloyd, Marissa’s mother. “Although her life was drastically cut short, I can only hope that her small legacy will live on in the messages the Sunshine Fund brings about and in the books that the children receive,” she added.
Each of the second-grade students were given the opportunity to select one book out of the ‘The Kissing Hand” series, written by Penn, who had contacted the organization earlier in the year, offering her complete support in their efforts.
The Sunshine Fund board members also presented the “Sunshine Citizenship Award,” for the second year at the Hilltop Elementary School. According to Lloyd, the children were given the criteria earlier in the school year and were then allowed to use their voice by voting for whom they thought met all the requirements set forth by the fund.
Named by their peers for their citizenship efforts were Ryan Dee, Ronald Guerrette, Daniel Horn, Livia Bouchard and Angel Riopelle. Each of the winners received a special certificate and a T-shirt with the Marissa E. Lloyd Sunshine logo, which is a sun that Marissa colored with a mixture of bright colors, just prior to her death.
The organization can be found on Facebook under Sunshine Fund, and along with the annual book give-away, the fund has a website with links to resources for families regarding parenting, child abuse, neglect, co-parenting, and childhood challenges.
Kristin Lloyd is also a CASA (court appointed special advocate) volunteer. Anyone interested in becoming an advocate for children, this is a good place to start. Additional information about the Sunshine Fund, including how to contribute to its programs, can go to marissasunshinefund.org.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Hilltop students have been the recipients of books from the fund and the second for students in New Sweden, Woodland and Connor.
