Community Building and Natural Disasters

Each year, our school counselor and student council members organize donation drives to help build community.  We have collected old glasses for Vision Aid Overseas, clothes and shoes for homeless, canned foods for the holidays, pennies for cancer patients, and winter outerwear in the winter season.  We usually choose a local organization to donate, but if there is a greater need we change gears to fulfill the need.

A few years ago, when the earthquake hit Haiti, we collected shoes and donated them to earthquake victims.  For each drive, the student council members go to classes they are assigned to and explain the reason for donating for each cause.  In science class, we discussed earthquakes, the causes and affects of the disaster, and what we can do to help.  We watched videos that showed the devastation and students were shocked and surprisingly compassionate.  

Our school is very involved in the community and participate in many worthy causes.  Our students are very aware of current events and the need for humanitarian efforts.  In order to make it more meaningful, we discuss the event we are collecting for.  Each year, the students look forward to these drives and working together to make a difference.