Grade-Schoolers Aid Iowa Church Hit By Arsonist

Lapwai Elementary School students - many of them from racially mixed backgrounds - have sold cookies and popcorn balls to help rebuild the library of an Iowa church with a diverse congregation.

“The Hickory Grove Community Church at Ottumwa, Iowa, was burned this summer by arsonists, I think by prejudiced people,” said Anasha Towles, a sixth-grader at Lapwai. “We don’t know why.”

The Idaho children raised $132 on Wednesday. Many are from mixed Indian, black, Hispanic and white backgrounds. Lapwai is on the Nez Perce Reservation.

“Helping other people is a way of earning and learning respect,” said Ina Mae Shell, also a sixth-grader.

Wednesday’s food sale grew out of conversations among the children and counselor Doug Wells.

Ask the children about bias and hatefulness and they don’t hold philosophical discussions; they talk about what they know.

“Sometimes they talk about how to change things,” Anasha said. “They start with learning about themselves, and then by helping others. I hope the church gets along good.”