As the holiday season approaches, many organizations in OH have launched their winter volunteer programs. They aim to give back to the community and spread a little joy during this season of giving.
Many students and staff believe volunteering is the key to growing closer as a community and school.
“It really opens up people’s eyes so that they can see that the world is bigger than they are,” said WE Club advisor and English teacher Elizabeth Prigodich. “When you are giving to others, you actually end up feeling much happier in your own life.”
It is important to get involved and help families in need, no matter what group a student belongs to. The holidays are all about giving back to loved ones, so students should take advantage of that opportunity to care for the people around them.
“We want to see the people next to us have better lives,” said Student Council adviser Jacob Cafaro. “When we see the person next to us do better, we do better.”
Luckily, there are several ways that students can help the community during the holidays. One of the easiest ways is through local clubs and organizations that dedicate their time to giving back to the community. Some of these include BIONIC, Student Council, and WE Club.
“[BIONIC’s] main goal is to create a stronger sense of community and we do that through a whole lot of volunteer opportunities,” said BIONIC board member Griffin Fowler.
Multiple groups are dedicated to building stronger connections in the community and are easily accessible to students. Students can find information about and join all clubs listed in this article throughout the school year on their respective Google Classrooms.
“Student Council is always looking for people to help volunteer,” said Student Council President Kyra Pattison, “no matter what time [of the year] it is.”
In addition to year-long activities, clubs hold specific events to help the community during the holiday season. All students are welcome to participate in and donate to these projects, including the BIONIC Giving Trees. These are part of an initiative where donations are given to OH families who are struggling during the holiday season.
“We have short little bios that don’t show who the student is but [tell] a little bit about their story,” said BIONIC advisor Chante Morrick, “and then a list of items that are needs, and then we usually add a few wants on there.”
The goal of these Giving Trees is to help out the people who need it most. Students can donate to one of the trees shown in Wendy Monn’s classroom or help wrap the gifts right before winter break.
“Towards the end of our Giving Tree we have gift-wrapping days,” said Fowler. “Anybody can go to any of our volunteer events and get those volunteer hours.”
In addition to BIONIC, groups like Student Council and WE Club host holiday-themed community service projects.
“We have helped out at the Tillers; we have sold bracelets to raise money for charities to help women who are creating bracelets in Africa,” said Prigodich, “we have done a Feed My Starving Children night, too.”
There are countless ways that students can help out within the coming months. Even the smallest donations can mean a world of joy for people.
“I think the name of the game is relationships. How we are connected to our community, the people next to us, if you feel like you are connected to the person next to you then you are going to want what is good for them,” said Cafaro.
My name is Sasha Pankuch and I am a junior here at OHS. This is my first year with 42Fifty too. I am very involved here at OHS; I am on the board of Student Council, I play the saxophone in the Panther Marching Band, and am a member of multiple honors societies!
Thanks for spreading the good news about supporting others! My family benefitted a lot from the help of others when I was a child, so I always find ways to help throughout the year and especially during the holidays. Hopefully your article will encourage more people to be supportive!
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Love it! Amazing reporting Sasha. Patently waiting for your next amazing article