Students across District 64 -- with generous support from their families and community members -- worked hard to make the holiday season brighter for neighbors near and far, especially those experiencing tremendous need.
Here are some of the ways students invested their hearts and hands in good works in recent weeks:
- The Franklin School Student Council organized a food drive, gathering more than 1,000 items for the Maine Township Food Pantry. The pantry provides food on an emergency basis to people living in the Maine Township area. Park Ridge Human Needs Task Force member John Benka congratulated Student Council members for their efforts! Franklin families and the Task Force are regular food pantry contributors.
- The Jazz Band from Lincoln Middle School performed in advance of the Park Ridge City Council meeting at City Hall this week. Lincoln students also participated in a variety of efforts to brighten the lives of others, ranging from conducting a "kindness challenge" of thoughtful acts, participating in field trips to prepare food packs at Feed My Starving Children, and gathering clothing for those in need.
- Even the District's youngest students at Jefferson School participated in holiday efforts focused on helping others by collecting non-perishable food items for the Maine Township Food Pantry. Four large, plastic bins of food were collected and donated to help area families in need.
- Chorus members from Emerson Middle School brought holiday cheer to the Resurrection Care Center in Niles and delighted frazzled shoppers at Golf Mill, among other community visits. Staff and students also were involved in many different service projects, including the DCFS Holiday Gift Giving Program, which provides holiday presents for less fortunate children and families. Gifts were especially purchased for 103 children and 2 families!
- Roosevelt School's drive for UCAN Chicago this year saw each classroom and the faculty sponsor an individual family to provide gifts for each member. Earlier this fall, 461 toys were collected during a Toy Roundup for Lurie Children's Hospital.
- To kick off the holiday season, the Student Council at Field School led a Thanksgiving drive to gather household items, clothes, and non-perishable food for the West Humboldt Park Youth Association, collecting two flatbed carts piled high with donations!
- Washington School carried on its Washington School Cares initiative, as students, staff and families fulfilled the holiday wishes of many of its own families in need. With names kept confidential through the social worker, the children received items from their "need" as well as their "want" lists; families also received gift cards to assist in their holiday meals.
- Carpenter School's Student Council members created handmade posters to publicize their Gear Up for Winter campaign to collect new and gently used winter wear for Cradles to Crayons. The charity provides children living in homeless or low-income situations with the essentials they need to thrive. More than 40 children benefited from their efforts!