As the holidays make their appearance, it is not only a time for receiving gifts but also making sure to give back to loved ones and the community. With that, multiple PPCHS clubs decided to contribute to their society by hosting holiday drives. Not only are students able to get volunteer hours from each club, but also each item will be collected and given to any places in need. By doing this, these clubs are ensuring that every kid and family have a joyful holiday season this year.
Forza Stefano’s Toy Drive
During the month of December, it can be easy to oversee the reality underneath the gifts: some parents can’t even afford to give their kids a gift. However, President and junior Alessandra Moreno decided that the Forza Stefano should host a toy drive “…in which we are collecting brand new gifts for kids with cancer.”
Their club is dedicated to helping those in need, and Moreno was hoping to “…bring cheer to hospitals; if we’re able to bring a smile to at least one child’s face, then our mission will be worth it.” By collecting these donations, Moreno continues to remind her club members how crucial it is to be active during these hard times for these families. In the end, Forza Stefano will be giving their donations to Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital in hopes it gives these kids a reason to smile.
Indian Student Association’s (ISA) Clothing Drive
To help those in India, the Indian Student Association decided to host a drive where a variety of Indian suits were given to underprivileged children. Junior and Vice President, Divyyashree Sathiaseelan, finds it important to donate as it shows how “…we are doing something to help others, and I think that’s an important trait to have.”
These suits are a luxury to have, and Sathiaseelan describes how so many “…don’t have the opportunity to celebrate cultural things.” This club truly gave the best gift of the year: offering a helping hand to certain countries where it is needed most.
Costa Rica Aid Alliance (CRAA) Shoe Drive
In many countries, a lot of families don’t have certain necessities, even things such as shoes for students. In Costa Rica, many students walk to school barefoot, and shoes are something that many kids and their parents are unable to afford. However, senior Co-President Ashley Hoadley saw this issue and decided to have her club take action and make an impact.
Costa Rica Aid Alliance is “…collecting shoes of any kind, in any condition, to raise funds for a meaningful cause,” Hoadley explains. She is active in promoting the drive to the best of their ability in order to collect as many shoes as they can. All of their shoes will be donated to numerous schools in Costa Rica, to not only improve the students lives’ but also help them continue the school year on the right foot. Afterall, with every pair, the club is able to get closer to the donation goal while helping out their country.
All surrounding PPCHS, other clubs will continue to have unique drives to help give back to the community. For instance, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was able to create a first aid drive with Florida International University (FIU) MSF in which the members dedicated their time to promote and successfully collect supplies for the ones who are less fortunate. The hard work these clubs did is what essentially gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season, and that alone is the greatest gift of them all.
