Island Harvest and a representatives from a local TV station visited Hewitt Elementary School on Jan.11, to film fifth grade teacher Gregg Linker and her class for a “sizzle reel” and television spot that will highlight Island Harvest’s yearly coin drive.

Linker began working with Island Harvest 10 years ago and continues to organize a program in which the fifth grade students become ambassadors to the school and promote Hewitt’s yearly coin drive. To kick off the program every year, Island Harvest sends a speaker to talk to all fifth graders about their mission, before they are then sent in small groups to relay the Island Harvest message to all students in grades K-4. Each student is given a brown paper lunch bag and asked to donate coins during the two-week-long coin drive. This year’s drive will be held in May.

“I love the fact that this charity is locally based and assists those here in our own backyards. It is amazing to see children realize how fortunate they are and work as hard as they do to help those that are less fortunate,” said Linker, when asked about her favorite part of working with Island Harvest.

During their visit to Hewitt, the TV producers taped an interview with Linker, as well as a lesson that she put together on community service ending with Island harvest. The segment will air as part of a “Heroes on Our Island” series.