Students learn charity and math at Wal Mart

Fourth grade students at Pieter B. Coeymans received a real life lesson in mathematics and charity Friday in the aisles of Wal Mart.

Armed with calculators, pencils, paper and a shopping list of items that will be donated to needy area families, groups of three to six 10-year-olds  snaked their way through the aisles of the Glenmont to shop for the best deals on everything from hygiene items to food.

About 90 students took part in the activity, during which each group was challenged to stay within a $50 budget. One student in each group would oversee the shopping list, while another was charged with the accounting aspect - calculating the total costs of items. The remaining students would shop for the best deal, i.e. is it better to purchase a pack of six bars of soap for $2.25 or four bars for $1.50?

everything purchased during the shopping spree will be distributed through the school’s Operation Christmas Program. The program provides disadvantaged families with boxes filled with toiletries, necessities, warm clothing, food and gifts for the Holidays.

Wal Mart officials contributed to the event donating juice and cookies for the young shoppers, as well as a gift card to purchase additional items for Operation Christmas.