Individually, they may have been little, but Cantiague Elementary School students were a big help to local community members who were thanked for the services they provide to Jericho on a daily basis.

Friday, April 3 was scheduled as a half-day of school for Cantiague kids. But many kids never left the premises, as they chose to take part in the voluntary effort known as the Big Help, an annual Nickelodeon-sponsored project that takes place in schools across the nation. The Big Help was designed to inspire children to make the world better through philanthropic and charitable acts.

"It's a wonderful, wonderful program," said Hillary Cohen, Cantiague PTA president. "Nickelodeon is so generous...They really want people to get involved in the community."

While Nickelodeon, the all-kids cable network, makes suggestions as to what tasks and deeds students can perform, it encourages schools to create their own themes for the Big Help. Cantiague responded by focusing on those who always have been improving the Jericho community, people who "help us out every day," explained Cohen. Kids and parents alike decided that for the Big Help, they would give a big hand to the Jericho Volunteer Fire Department and Jericho Auxiliary Police Department, members of which were invited to visit, and the staff of Cantiague itself, including the Cantiague buildings/grounds department, the kitchen staff and school secretaries.

To express their appreciation, hundreds of students remained after school designing thank you cards and constructing flower pots in which they planted flowers from a seed kit that Nickelodeon sent specifically to Cantiague for its project. Then they made their rounds distributing the gifts.

"They spent a day that was a school holiday...making plants for us," said Margie Cirello, Cantiague secretary. "They thanked us for helping them, as behind the scenes people."

"It's always nice to get the feedback that we did [from the kids]" said Jericho Fire Department First Assistant Chief David Ginzburg. In return, department members sent out several rigs to the school. "They had a chance to get a little tour of some of the apparatus and equipment," he said.

The children were treated to a special sight when an emergency call was placed to the firemen during the Big Help events. The children had a chance to witness exactly what they were thanking them for as department members suited up, sounded the alarm and left for the scene, only to return again later. Fortunately, there was no real emergency. Also, Mal Tarkin, commander for the auxiliary police, presented anti-smoking literature to the youngsters.

The kids were still not done performing good deeds. Many of the children, who obviously are not shy, signed up to perform in a special talent video, shot in the school auditorium, that would be sent to all of those they thanked. "There were about 85 versions of the song My Heart Will Go On," said Cohen. "And there were a lot of Spice Girls. It was adorable." Professional accompaniment was even provided for the young crooners and dancers.

A version of the video, along with gently used books and videotapes that Cantiague kids donated, will be sent a nearby children's hospital.