High School Students Giving Back this Winter Season

Winter can often be a difficult time for many, and District 228 students at Bremen, Tinley Park, Hillcrest, and Oak Forest High Schools recognize that. While District 228 students are often seen giving back to their communities throughout the year, there seems to be an extra push this winter season with an abundance of fundraising, donation campaigns, and volunteering.

At Bremen High School, National Honor Society and Student Council teamed up for their annual food drive where they distributed hundreds of Berkot’s brown bags around local neighborhoods. In December, students collected the bags. Many were filled to the brim with non-perishable food donations from the community. Throughout the months of December and November, the Bremen halls were lined with boxes and bags of food, which students then donated to local pantries.

Bremen student Dylan Gluszek also showed off his Bremen Brave spirit this winter by hosting his annual light show and food drive at his home. Each year, Gluszek decorates his home in Midlothian with hundreds of Christmas lights. He programs the lights and decorations to “dance” to holiday tunes. All he asks of his spectators? That they leave a donation in the bin out front. This year, Gluszek was seeking 10,000 pounds in donations. Remarkably, his grand total surpassed his goal at 14,093 pounds of food!

Another Bremen student, Tania Price also wanted to find a way to give back this season. She decided to collect gifts and visit a nearby shelter around the holidays. After recruiting some friends and the help of teachers Ms. Flannigan and Ms. Chelepis, she raised $375.00 and collected gifts for the Daybreak shelter in Joliet, Ill. 28 students traveled with Price, Ms. Flannigan, and Ms. Chelepis to the shelter where they provided clothing, coats, shoes, hygiene products, and baby items to families. They also provided each child a gift, played games, and served dinner.

“I am blown away by not only the thought process that went into this event, but also the heartwarming donations and generosity of the students at staff at Bremen High School,” says Ms. Flannigan.

Generosity stretched far beyond the walls of Bremen High School this winter. At Hillcrest High School, there were numerous campaigns and ideas sparked by students as an effort to give back.

Mrs. Younberg’s FCCLA and Mrs. Kelsey’s CORE class teamed up to make winter blankets for Project Linus which supports children who are critically ill, traumatized, or simply in need of a warm blanket.

The Lady Hawks Basketball team volunteered at the Hillcrest Baptist Church food pantry, members of the Hillcrest National Honor Society helped out at the Hazel Crest Senior Center, and Key Club collected cell phones and accessories for soldiers overseas.

Additionally, Hillcrest DECA students took a special interest in working with the homeless population this winter. They teamed up with South Suburban PADS where they collected and distributed warm blankets to those living in a nearby Matteson shelter. Students also spent some time with those in the shelter by serving and eating a meal with the residents.

Tinley Park High School, like Hillcrest High School, held multiple donation campaigns. Their National Honor Society collected food for Together We Cope in Tinley Park, and the Titan childcare students made blankets for children at local homeless shelters.

At Oak Forest High School, Key Club collected winter coats and accessories for families in need in the surrounding area. They also volunteered at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora where they put together food packets for families in need all over the world.

These are just a few of the ways District 228 students are giving back this winter season. Looking to partner up for a great cause? Contact the District 228 Public Relations department at 708-396-8449. Students at District 228 are always looking for new opportunities to give back.