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D303 Students Give Back: Holidays Spur Community Outreach

A coat drive, food drive and other efforts by students and D303 staff have helped raise money and bring in donations.

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Amie Schaenzer, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

ST. CHARLES, IL —District 303 students have been finding ways to give back to the community and support various non-profit organizations in recent weeks.

Here is a look at some of their efforts:

  • The St. Charles North Key Club members volunteered at Feed My Starving Children on Nov. 22 to help pack meals for those in need.
  • The Bell-Graham Wellness Council sponsored a Thanksgiving Food Drive to support the Northern Illinois Food Bank, according to the D303 Facebook page. The council encouraged students and teachers to bring in one dollar and a can of vegetables and ended up collecting $590 and 216 cans of food. According to the NIFB, every dollar donated can purchase eight dollars worth of groceries. So, Bobcat donations will end up providing $4,720 worth of food or 157 meal boxes.
  • The St. Charles North Baseball Program helped collect over 800 coats on November 6 at the annual Community Coat Drive in support of Random Acts Matter, according to the D303 newsletter. Winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and backpacks were dropped off during the drive through event for families in need.
    “It is a great opportunity for our players to get involved in a community event that supports people in need and we hope to reach the 1,000 garment mark next year,” said St. Charles North Head Varsity Baseball Coach Todd Genke.
  • In commemoration of Veterans Day, Thompson Middle School students in the Builder’s Club made 120 cards and wrote letters for local veterans in recent weeks. With support from Builder’s Club advisors, Mrs. Brewick and Mrs. Russell, the colorful cards and inspirational letters were delivered to seven area senior centers and assisted living homes to be distributed to their residents, according to the D303 newsletter.
  • Thompson Middle School Student Council members partnered with Operation Gratitude to host a Halloween Candy Give Back program. After Halloween, students worked together to collect and sort the candy, which was enough to fill 11 large boxes to be donated to military troops.

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