For many, the Christmas season is a time of joy and cheer, but for others Christmas can amplify needs that aren’t met. To spread the joy of the holiday season, a nonprofit organization named Samaritan’s Purse developed a way to reach less fortunate children all around the globe through Operation Christmas Child. Each year, people from all over the U.S go shopping, fill their boxes, and send them to their local collection center for distribution. During the month of November, Pendleton County Educators Rising partnered with the Middle School Student Council to take part in the Operation Christmas Child program. Fliers were hung around the school, and morning announcements were made daily to make students aware of the community service project. Altogether the two groups collected and packed around 15 boxes. The boxes were then taken to Pendleton County’s local drop-off center and were shipped out to help kids all around the world.
For the month of December, Pendleton County Educator’s Rising will be taking part in the 12 Days of Christmas food drive that is held through C.A.N (Christian Assistance Network.) The drive takes place from November 17th until December 9th, and all contributions will be taken to C.A.N for later distribution to help people in the community of Franklin. Along with students bringing in items, Mrs. Janice Heavner (Pendleton County Middle/High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher and Pendleton County Educators Rising Teacher Advisor) has given her students the opportunity to double everything that is brought in by matching the number of items dropped off in her department. To add more Christmas spirit to the project, the members of PCHS Educators Rising are making Christmas ornaments to include in packages that will be sent out. Each ornament is made of a canning lid, and all ornaments are then decorated to resemble wreaths.
The holiday season is a time that highlights the joy of giving, but it can also be a time that capitalizes on needs that aren’t being met in the community and around the world. This holiday season, Pendleton County Educators Rising aims to spread cheer and joy to everyone. Merry Christmas!
Written by Susan Vincell, Educators Rising President