Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — Several second grade students from Charles Upson Elementary School received a lesson in character building this week when they paid a visit to the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen.

Robert Carlin’s class took a field trip on Tuesday to donate canned goods and other items that the students had been collecting. After making their donation, the children stayed for a meal of “chicken surprise” soup, fruit cocktail and cake.

”Every kid had a bag with at least five cans,” Carlin said as his students finished their lunch.

Along with the canned goods, among the items donated were two frozen turkeys, a case of macaroni and cheese and two large bags of potatoes.

Maj. Martha Wheeler said the donation to the soup kitchen is a big help and the visit helps plant the seeds for them to continue to make donations when they grow up.

”It’s a great amount for just one class. It’s very meaningful,” Wheeler added. “It’s good for the children to learn when they’re young. Hopefully they won’t forget as they get older and they’ll continue to give.”

Carlin said the field trip was part of a lesson that provides character building in the community helpers section in social studies, and the groups and clubs section in the reading series.

”It ties into English Language Arts,” Carlin said. “The kids get to see how clubs work and how they differ from other organizations.”

Carlin said the class visit is a tradition that began with Mrs. Warner. Carlin was Warner’s student teacher seven years ago and when she retired, he decided to take over.

The entire school is collecting items for the soup kitchen, Carlin added, and they will be collected at a later date and brought to the Salvation Army.

The soup kitchen’s annual drive is underway. Donations may be sent by clipping the coupon on the front page of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, which appears each day, Monday through Saturday. Donations may be made in honor or memory of a loved one; the donor’s name, the amount of the donation and the sentiments of the donor will be published. Donors can also remain anonymous.

The donations, along with the completed coupons, can be dropped off at any First Niagara Bank or mailed to First Niagara Bank, 55 East Ave., Lockport, NY 14094.