Friday Dollars for Donuts partner with Mrs. Audia’s Advisory class to sell
donuts and chocolate covered pretzels in the library. This year’s sales topped
$3,000.
Teachers at GSMS Organize Giving Tree Gifts for Delivery
Giving Tree Program Boosted by Students’ Creative Efforts to Raise Money
I
t has been said that it takes a village to raise a family. It could also
be said that it takes an entire school community to implement
a Giving Tree program. Though there are slight differences
between the High School and Middle School Giving Tree
programs, both have a goal of helping Greensburg Salem families
who need extra support during the holidays. Staff from both
schools began contacting families in early October about their
needs and have what is a very heartfelt and difficult conversation.
“It is hard for families to say they are struggling to provide holiday
meals or gifts that are basically necessities for their kids,” explains
HS Guidance Counselor Laura Klipa.
Donors provide both gifts and monetary contributions. Typically,
each child gets a new pair of shoes, outerwear, and clothes that
are picked just for them. Toiletries and some personal items of
interest are also provided. Many generous families and businesses
in our community join our efforts. JC Penny’s, Quatrini Rafferty, the
TLC Foundation, All Saint’s Brewery, the Water Authority, a very
generous anonymous alumni group, and the Fraternal Order of
Greensburg Police made contributions to the GS Giving Tree this
school year.
Students and teachers join the efforts by organizing fundraisers
within their classrooms. In Ms. Guido’s high school biology classes,
a coin collection competition raised $50 and enabled them to
purchase gift cards for the Giving Tree. High School librarian, Mrs.
Vottero, manages Donuts for Dollars, which has raised $3000 from
a much loved and very popular donut sale. Donuts are delivered
fresh on Fridays by Mrs. Yasika from the Guidance office. The sale
also includes too-good-to-pass-up chocolate covered pretzels
made by Mrs. Audia’s Advisory class.
At the Middle School, students donate freshly baked cookies
and muffins to sell during Enrichment and other classrooms sell
snacks like chips, pretzels or pencils. All the money raised by these
Middle School projects is then donated to the Giving Tree to help
with purchasing clothes and supplies. “Classrooms are typically
able to contribute about $50,” says Mrs. Garofola, the student
council adviser who coordinates the Middle School Giving Tree at
GSMS. “It may not seem like much but it adds up.”
Finally, staff and volunteers spend an entire day delivering gifts
to the homes of more than 100 GS families. Thanks to the amazing
efforts of the GS community, families who need extra help receive
presents under their Christmas trees, food to help make the
holiday dinners plentiful and hopefully a Christmas morning that is
a little brighter!
Disguise A Turkey Project
Benefits Local Families
F
irst Graders at Metzgar Elementary raised $230
during their Disguise-a-Turkey Project in November.
Students were challenged to disguise a turkey
so that it wouldn’t be “eaten” for Thanksgiving dinner.
Students, staff and parents then paid to vote for their
favorite creation. The proceeds were donated to the
Westmoreland County Food Bank as a way of spreading
kindness to local families in need.
The turkeys with the top votes were Addasyn Crissman
(Mermaid Turkey), Gunnar Swartz (Batman Turkey), and
Harper Mutnansky. (JoJo Siwa Turkey).
Disguise a Turkey Winners: Gunner Swartz, Addasyn Crissman and Harper Mutnansky.
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GREENSBURG SALEM