Spirit of Giving Fills District 146

Students, staff, families, and community members came together throughout District 146 to support the drives held by schools and student groups. Each building held at least one food, toy, or clothing drive through the months of November or December to help those in need this holiday season.

“District 146 students and staff have always made efforts to give back to the community each year,” said Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent. “Each school hosts numerous drives and fundraisers that support community groups and organizations, most of them organized by students. These efforts are just a few examples of our students’ outstanding citizenship.”

At Fierke Education Center, the Student Council partnered with the PTO to donate close to 1,500 nonperishable items to Redeemer’s Little Free Pantry in Oak Forest. The Fulton Student Council also hosted a food drive with the collected items being donated to the Tinley Park Food Pantry.

Kruse Education Center held a food drive early in November and also donated the items to the Tinley Park Food Pantry. In December, the Kruse Student Council collected new toys, books, and pajamas to donate to Together We Cope in Tinley Park. There were enough donations to fill an entire car.

The Student Council at Memorial School collected pajamas for Together We Cope. Students came up with the idea, made weekly announcements, created posters, and boxed up the donations. Students, families, and community members donated 157 pairs of new pajamas.

At Central Middle School, the Twister Leadership Team hosted a Hot Cocoa run to raise money and collect food to benefit the Tinley Park Food Pantry. Over 100 canned goods and $275 were collected.

The Builders Club hosted a month-long winter wear drive. The gently-used garments were donated to the Oak Forest Kiwanis Club who laundered all the items before donating them to children throughout the local community.

Each advisory class at Central also created handmade holiday cards that were sent to young adults with disabilities. Some students even used puffy paint to make cards in braille for blind community members. This drive is in partnership with a number of other local schools.

“Cassie Greenhill, a former CMS student and current paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg High School, partners with the Builders Club to host the Holiday Card Drive each year,” said Amy Sandow, 6th grade teacher and Builders Club sponsor. “We hope they put smiles on the faces of the recipients.”

The staff at the District’s Administration Center also held their annual Santa’s Workshop Drive to benefit Together We Cope. Staff members donated toys, pajamas, books, gift cards, and toiletries that could be gifted to children of all ages.

Community Consolidated School District 146 is comprised of Central Middle School, Fierke Education Center, Fulton School, Kruse Education Center, and Memorial School. Students from Tinley Park, Orland Park, and Oak Forest attend District 146 schools.