Throughout the BSSD, students and staff have a long tradition of giving and caring for our community – especially those families in need. Each year, our schools organize fundraising drives. The funds are used to shop for items that can bring comfort to families who might otherwise struggle during the holidays.
At Daniel Young Elementary, students in the Kindness Club sold candy canes during their lunch period, raising enough funds to purchase items for two families.
Amellia Purcell, a student at Valley View High School, wanted to help Hope House, a local domestic violence shelter, so she and fellow students designed posters and hosted a item donation at the school. Amellia remembered when her grandmother donated to Hope House, and wanted to honor her by collecting clothes, toys, household items and health products this holiday season.
Blue Springs South High School’s Adopt-a-Family drive is a true schoolwide and community effort. Groups and clubs throughout the school chip in by shopping for gifts and wrapping them. This year, BSSHS adopted 36 families, totaling 169 people. The list of helping hands include: DECA, HOSA, National Honor Society, Technology Student Association (TSA), and the Jags’ football, baseball, volleyball, girls and boys swimming and diving, girls and boys basketball, and cheerleading teams. Community leaders also help sponsor the effort – including Kennedy’s Jewelers, Scooter’s, Fogel-Anderson Construction and Beta Gamma Sorority.
One of the Jaguars’ fundraising campaigns collected money during a “Penny War” in the cafeteria. The goal of $250 was easily met, leading Principal Dr. Ryan Gettings to reward the effort by going on a “turkey trot” during the lunch hour – dressed in an inflatable turkey outfit.
South’s Adopt-a-Family drive concludes with various groups taking shifts to wrap presents and prepare each delivery to those families in need.
Congratulations to our students and staff for displaying the spirit of giving every holiday season.