Milton Hershey School Students Celebrate World Kindness Day

This World Kindness Day, Milton Hershey School students are showing Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning faculty and staff how much they appreciate their work.

At MHS, kindness spreads quickly. Houseparent Deepa Black recently sent Jane Gurt, wife of President Pete Gurt ’85, a handmade card expressing her appreciation for her work with students. Black’s card impressed Mrs. Gurt so much that she contacted her again to learn more about the piece of art. That led to Black, Mrs. Gurt, and other staff members showing students how to make the cards so they could send them, packaged with gifts, to CHS staff.

The card-making event was part of Mrs. Gurt’s initiative called Hugs and Kisses from Catherine.  Catherine “Kitty” Hershey was Milton Hershey’s beloved wife for 17 years. When asked why he started MHS, Mr. Hershey answered, “It was Kitty’s idea.”

Mrs. Hershey played an important role in the school’s early years. She often gave input on important elements of home life including clothing and social etiquette training. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hershey suffered from a chronic illness that limited her mobility and balance. As the disease progressed, she continued to live with courage and her usual cheerful nature.

Throughout the year, Mrs. Gurt works with students to honor Catherine Hershey through kind acts.

“She was always kind to others, even through adversity,” Mrs. Gurt said.

In 2020, Milton Hershey School recognized Mrs. Hershey by naming its subsidiary school after her. Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning provides a cost-free educational, social, and cognitive day program to children of low income from six weeks to age 5. Six CHS Early Childhood Education Centers will open in Pennsylvania. CHS Hershey is now open and CHS Harrisburg will open in 2024.

“These cards and gifts will show CHS that we are here for them,” MHS junior Stacey Vo said.

CHS gives even more students the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Hershey’s kindness while her lessons continue at MHS.