As part of its Kukoo Birdhouse Project, the Wareham Boys & Girls Club asked elementary school students to give Kukoo, the lovable bird and mascot, a life.

Kukoo represents the club's ongoing birdhouse-building and educational project, which culminates in a gala auction in June. Birdhouses created and decorated by members of the community, as well as other hand-made, bird-related pieces of art, such as drawings and paintings, will be auctioned to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club.

The club received many entries from Decas Elementary School students in its quest to find out where Kukoo came from.

"We knew nothing about Kukoo," said Wareham Boys & Girls Club director Barbara Sullivan. "We had to give him a life!"

The first-place entry was authored by second-grader Cecilia Bottino, who explained that Kukoo, a boy, was born in the rainbow tree forests far away. He and his siblings Lulu and Kado were living happily with their parents until one day their parents went to search for food and did not return. Don't worry, the story has a happy ending! (Click on the link below to read the entries!)

Third-grader Aaron Allen-Murdock and fourth grade student Roberto Sandoval were awarded second- and third-place, respectively.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Wareham or the Kukoo Birdhouse Project & Gala Auction, visit www.kukoobgc.org or contact Barbara Sullivan: 508-295-5400.