Hearts of gold

Treasures aren't really all they are cracked up to be.

Sharing those treasures, that's where the real joy is found.

Children at St. Barbara Catholic School are finding the more they give from their allowance and, ultimately, from their hearts, they are getting far more in return.

Every other Thursday, the children have the chance to toss some coins and dollar bills into the offering during a collection that is taken at Mass. The school's student council decides which charitable group or organization will receive the monetarary gifts.

Gifts that they are learning make a huge difference in the world around them. Yes, Jesus took two fish and five loaves to feed multitudes of people. Imagine what God can do with a couple hundred dollars.

So far, St. Barbara students have donated more than $300 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. This time, they collected just more than $100. That money, according to school principal Bob Otte, will be given to the Diabetes Foundation.

The school year has really just started. Imagine what the kids can do with all that they have to give in seven months to come.