Students at Happy Valley Elementary have been busy for the past two months collecting basic necessity items to give to the homeless.
The drive has been spearheaded by teacher Tristin Johnson, the students in her CDC class and aides April Sams, Marsha Price, and Jessica Ward. The faculty, students and the student’s families have worked to collect socks, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, and other hygiene items.
“It was a school wide event, we just led it,” Sams said.
The collection period ends on Friday morning, at which time the school will donate the items to Haven of Mercy in Johnson City which serves the local homeless population.
The idea for the drive was inspired through a counselling class at the school and a popular YouTuber known as “Kid President.” On his YouTube channel, Kid President posts videos talking about a variety of topics, but in one video titled #SOCKTOBER Kid President discusses homelessness across the nation and challenges his viewers to take action in their local communities. The first stage of his challenges asks people to collect socks for the homeless but to not stop there. He also challenges them to collect blankets and other items to help those need.
“Each of us individually are very community-minded and we wanted to help,” said Price of Johnson and her fellow classroom aides.”
So, the ladies decided to take the challenge and not only run with it, but to use it as an opportunity to educate the students as well.
“We thought it would be a good learning experience for the kids,” Johnson said.
During the drive, faculty talked to the students about what it is to be homeless and how the community, even children, can help those in need.
“We’ve also talked about what we’re thankful for, such as having socks and toothbrushes” Johnson said.
In the letter the group sent home with students, Johnson and her team discussed why they felt the project was so important.
“Every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This fall the CDC classroom wants to prove that the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference,” the letter said. “Anyone can be a community helper. All socks and other small donated items will be donated to a local homeless shelter and delivered by students. We want to make a difference in our community.”
In addition to asking the students, families and faculty to bring in donations, Johnson’s classroom also reached out to local businesses as well. So far, they have received donations from Valley Forge Auction and from Gabe’s, where Johnson’s husband, Wayne, works.
Response to the drive has been good so far.
“It was the first time doing it, so we didn’t know what to expect,” Johnson said.
The school will be collecting donations until 10 a.m. on Friday. At that time, the donations will be packed up and delivered to Haven of Mercy.