During the holiday season, TSC students and staff demonstrate generosity through many acts of kindness. Some schools host food drives, others collect presents for families in need and others create blankets for shelter animals. This is a look at some, but not all, of the activities involving our schools.

A food drive to benefit Food Finders Food Bank is a tradition at East Tipp Middle School. This year students and staff brought in nearly 12,000 pounds of food. Wyandotte Elementary, Klondike Middle and two high ability classes at Mayflower Mill Elementary School held food drives to benefit local food pantries.

The Harrison High School Student Council collected $3,657 in donations for Food Finders Food Bank. “The council holds the annual food drive because we understand how vital it is to serve our community and we recognize that there is a greater need for resources during the pandemic,” says Student Council President Leia Francis. She says a friendly competition between first-period classes helped generate excitement throughout the school.

Several schools held fundraisers or collected donations to benefit families in need. The Wainwright Middle School Students in Action group collected donations and provided Christmas gifts to several local families. A student volunteer and her friends surprised students in the McCutcheon High School Essential Skills program with gifts. Battle Ground Middle School staff collected cleaning supplies, food and other items for several families in need. “This is a time of giving and helping our families,” says Battle Ground Middle School Principal Jodi Day. “I can't think of a better way to celebrate the holidays than by bringing some happiness to those who need it.”

Woodland Elementary School held a fundraiser to benefit the school’s Christmas Assistance Program. With the money raised, staff purchased coats, toys, shoes and other items for more than 40 children. “Families were also provided wrapping paper, gift tags and tape so the parents can wrap the gifts once they see the items,” adds Woodland Assistant Principal Brock Richardson.

At Mintonye Elementary School, more than a dozen families benefited from the school's Angel Tree. “COVID has really impacted some of our families,” says Student Service Coordinator Tara Striegel. “Staff purchased gifts, Barnes & Noble Inc. donated books, a local church supplied hats and gloves, and a Girl Scout troop provided fleece blankets.”

Several schools participated in the holiday card drive sponsored by American Legion Post 492. Woodland Elementary, Dayton Elementary, Mintonye Elementary, Southwestern Middle are among the schools who had students create Christmas cards and thank you letters to send to soldiers deployed overseas. Some schools created thank you cards for health care workers.

Some school groups hold fundraisers or collect items to benefit community organizations. Wea Ridge Middle School’s Students in Action group spearheaded a drive to collect trash bags, dish sets, towels, socks and food items to support LTHC, Homeless Services. Two classes at Wea Ridge Elementary School collected toiletry items, clothing and medical supplies to help the homeless at Lafayette Urban Ministries. "I wanted to donate to the homeless shelter because I know I have everything I need and some people don't," says Wea Ridge Elementary student Jax Jenkinson. "I thought it would be nice to give to the people in need especially because my whole class has everything they need."

 

Joanne Sprunger’s second grade classroom at Wea Ridge Elementary School learned how to make blankets and donated 42 to local animal shelters. “I started this project a few years ago to help animals in need at the shelter,” says Sprunger. “Young children love animals and it is important to foster caring and compassion through service projects. Children gain confidence when they realize they can make a difference. The joy and happiness shines in their eyes each time they complete a blanket.  Hopefully this will encourage them to volunteer in the community and help others as needed in the future.”  

Watch TSC Holiday Giving Video