January LEAPS FOOD DRIVE

Congratulations to the Health Assistant shop who won the December food drive, sponsored by the LEAPS club to benefit the Food Bank at the Salvation Army offices in New Castle.   By the time all food was tallied on December 18th, 175 items were collected from HA and they will enjoy a doughnut party on December 23rd.

Each day that students bring items, there is a morning announcement to let everyone know which shop is leading with their donations. For the second year, Health Assistant students, under the guidance of Mr. Vince Pavia and Mrs. Valerie O’Donnell, won that challenge. LEAPS supplied their shop students with May’s Donuts before our Holiday Break.

It must be mentioned that Cosmetology also donated 110 items, so that the less fortunate would have something to warm their bellies, and maybe even warm their hearts.

 Not only does the winning shop get bragging rights, they also help to load the cans into the Salvation Army van when it arrives, which lets them see how much they have donated when it all comes together. They all feel good and know they have made a difference in their community.

Honorable mention goes to the following shops:  Welding ~ 20 items, CA ~ 17, RT ~ 15, and EO ~ 7.  According to tallies made by LEAPS students, approximately 500 items were collected and delivered.

When asked about the experience, Ms. Clark stated, "I would like to personally thank those teachers who offered extra credit and/or encouraged students to help our collection for the Salvation Army Food Bank."  Ms. Clark also added:   "Each year LCCTC students meet our challenge of helping others by simply raiding their cupboards. One can of soup or a bag of brownie mix will help a struggling parent give a family a little extra at the dinner table this holiday season."  All donations went to help local people in the Lawrence County area.  

This year’s food collectors were Robert Geitner and Branson Peak. Each day during the drive, they collected the donations, tallied the results, prepared the announcement for the following morning, and boxed up the items for delivery. When the collection ended, Robert and Branson carted the boxes down the hall for the Salvation Army and the Health Assistant students helped to load it all into the van. Miss Clark would like to thank all who participated. 

On a final note, Ms. Clark commented,  "I love how the students always come together, compete with each other in the spirit of giving, and do something positive."  She adds that LEAPS is “a great way to get the students involved in some friendly competition as well as to support their local community. The kids really do get involved and look forward to helping others. Teaching students to serve their community is an important part of making them well-rounded citizens and I’m very proud of each student who participates.”

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LEAPS, Learning through Experience, Action, Partnership, and Service, is a community service club at the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center that was created by 10^th grade English Teacher, Miki Clark. Started in 2001, LEAPS has been actively involved in community service opportunities each school year. Their annual Food Drive for the Salvation Army to benefits Lawrence County residents during the holiday season.