Giving Back: How North Hills Students & Staff Help Others

Across North Hills School District, various students and student organizations and staff participated in service activities throughout the holiday season.

In total their donations – both financial and in-kind, to numerous charitable organizations totaled more than $20,000. Throughout Christmas week, we will highlight some of the charitable efforts of North Hills students and staff:

• North Hills Senior High Hands for ServiceClub raised $3,900 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation – enough to fund a full wish for a child. 
• North Hills School District Athletics and Activities office conducted the fifth annual toy drive to benefit North Hills families, and students, staff and community members donated more than 700 toys. Ninth-grade social studies classes taught by Olga Smyers, Barb Burnett and Jamie DeWeese contributed 181 toys to the total donation.
• North Hills Junior High’s Team Fire contributed 11 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and other items to Operation Christmas Child to benefit children in hardship around the world.
• Ross Elementary students and staff raised more than $600 to purchase gifts for families who receive supplemental help through St. Cyril Food Bank. This is the 14th year for the annual drive. Students are asked to donate $1 earned by doing an extra chore, passing on a treat or giving their own funds. Fourth-grade student Charlotte Schramm gathered $250 on her own.
• North Hills varsity cheerleaders helped to collect 367 coats during their sixth annual coat drive to benefit North Hills Community Outreach.

For more news about the North Hills School District, check out our school news topic page .