Huntington Students Collect Non-Perishable Foods, Clothing

HUNTINGTON, NY — Winter sports teams at Huntington High School participated in a community service project, the school district announced.

The student-athletes and coaches collected non-perishable foods and all types of clothing. There was an emphasis on winter items such as jackets, gloves, scarves and hats.

Jessica Kuom, a Huntington junior, messaged athletic department officials to suggest the project. Kuom runs on the Blue Devil cross country and track teams. She cares about others and wants to make the world a better place, according to the school district.

“I came up with this idea that during the holidays, the winter sports teams can assist homeless people or those who can’t afford things as well as less fortunate families now that it’s coming up to wintertime,” Kuom wrote to athletic officials. “I was thinking that maybe teams could donate some clothes they don’t need or that don’t fit them and we could give these things to those in need of certain items. I was going to make this just a track thing, but then I thought to myself it would be absolutely amazing to get other teams involved because it could really make these people’s holidays better if they can’t afford things for their children or just things for themselves. I think it could be a really amazing thing to bring the teams together to help other people out.”

Kuom met with officials and discussed the idea with the four-member executive board of the Blue Devil Varsity Club.

Coaches of each winter season varsity and JV team were asked to have their captains take the lead in the initiative. The athletic department wanted this to be “kid driven,” the school district stated.

Student-athletes collected hundreds of pieces of clean clothing and canned goods over several weeks.

Huntington coaches were asked to speak with their teams about the concept of “giving back” and the responsibility to help others. Coaches were challenged to inspire their athletes to care about others and make an effort to play a small role in addressing the ills of society.

"We are proud of our teams for bringing their efforts into the greater community to make sure that those less fortunate have access to what they need this winter,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky stated. “Additionally, we are beyond proud of Jessica for taking initiative. The holiday season is all about giving, but our students and staff have always been committed to doing so year-round. Just another characteristic of a very special school district community.”

All athletes were asked to bring at least one item of clothing and two non-perishable items.

Athletic department officials and some coaching staff members delivered the items to Tri-CYA and Helping Hand Rescue Mission.