“It was Random Acts of Kindness Week, and 15 young people spent a day recently doing a special kindness. The fifth graders from South Whidbey Intermediate School traveled to Seattle’s Compass Center shelter for the homeless and brought supplies, cookies and the warmth of a friendly visit.This is the third year in which the Intermediate School has been involved in a trip to the shelter. This year the 15 participants were chosen through an essay contest that asked: Why do you think it is important to help others? And why do you want to participate in this service project?In addition to the essay winners who traveled to Seattle, each classroom also participated through donations of items such as blankets, sheets and toiletry items.We had so many donations that the back of my car and a parent driver’s car were filled, said Lisa Adams, teacher and field trip advisor. We also brought cookies. We must have had at last 500 cookies!When the group arrived, they got to work decorating the Compass Center cafeteria with flowers and the cards they had made, then helped serve lunch and coffee, pass out cookies and visit with the homeless patrons.The students did a great job because they were so helpful, considerate, mature and responsible, said one patron. As for the students, the experience was a meaningful one.I really like helping out, said Alexis Jensen. It is fun!And Courtney Deittrich added, All of the homeless people seemed to appreciate us, and it felt good to help.In addition to the students and volunteers pictured above, participants included Kelsie Lindus, Courtney Diettrich and parent-drivers Lindus and Mock. “