Somerset County VoTech Gives Back to the Community

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) community continued its tradition of helping to bring some holiday cheer to those in need.

Throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, student groups at the school organized several collections to provide food, presents, and comfort throughout the community.

The SCVTHS chapters of SkillsUSA organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive that provided 13 SCVTHS families with menu items for the traditional feast, including turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing and other favorites. In addition, each family also received a fresh pumpkin pie baked by students in the Culinary Program.

Members of the school’s chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) continued a 13-year partnership with Jersey Cares, collecting 42 coats for their Winter Coat Drive. The donated clothing will be distributed throughout New Jersey, and will provide something warm to wear for people in need this winter.

Another long-standing tradition is the toy drive organized by students in the Cosmetology Program. For the past 10 years, students in the program have collected toys for patients being treated at the pediatrics unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This year, more than 70 items were donated to the toy drive, which is held in memory of Mackenzie Wright, the niece of Cosmetology instructor Julie Francis.

The TOPS program at SCVTHS also collected presents, continuing their partnership with Agape House, a division of Volunteers of America. The students distributed “wish lists” to the school community, then collected and wrapped the donated items. As a result, the holidays were made a little brighter for 39 children whose families are receiving emergency shelter at Agape House.

— Submitted by Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS)