CFHS students giving back to our community

The busy holiday season provides many opportunities for the enjoyment of activities, family and friends. The season also provides the opportunity to give back to the community through service project and volunteering. Service projects provide a win-win for the school and community as the students develop leadership and interpersonal skills, and gain an enhanced awareness of the issues and needs in the community. Students almost always find their involvement rewarding and enjoy the time spent giving back to the community.

The majority of the service projects are completed by school-sponsored groups and clubs, but we have also had individual classes adopt a cause. This year, I asked the faculty to provide information about the service project they are engaged in so I can share this through my column. Here is a brief description of the projects that have been shared and as in the past I am sure I will become aware of many additional service projects after the holiday season:

The Key Club is a service based organization and they spend much of their time planning and carrying out service projects. Key Club members volunteer time to work with our special needs students and have assisted them with a buddy shopping program. They assisted with fund raising for the Baby Drew Jackson Benefit, helped with bell ringing for the Salvation Army and they are adopting a family for Christmas. They also volunteered time to go Christmas caroling and participated in the Night of Lights Parade.

The music groups have been busy volunteering time to play for events in the community. The Sonifers choir and groups from the Columbians provided entertainment at the Chamber luncheon. On Friday, the Sonifers will be singing Christmas carols at local nursing homes and Columbians will be entertaining the student body at Helena Flats School.

The Student Council has three ongoing projects that they are working on. They also assisted with bell ringing for the Salvation Army, they adopted a family for Christmas, and they are working on a school-wide food drive competition. The food will be donated to our local food bank. In addition to the holiday based project, the Student Council coordinated an American Red Cross blood drive on Nov. 4.

The newly formed Eco Club is collecting toys and coats for Toys for Tots and Coats for Kids. The group is also planning a cell phone drive for the violence-free crisis line which will occur in February. The National Honor Society and the Spanish Club also helped out with the Salvation Army bell ringing. Between the two groups there were approximately 20 students helping to fill the Salvation Army’s black pot.

The faculty has also been giving back to the community. Last school year we began a community service focus through our Friday “Casual for a Cause.” Teachers can dress casual on Friday if they choose to pay $2 to our faculty community service fund. During the past two months the faculty has contributed $450 to community and student needs. We have assisted with medical needs, family necessities, and additional needs of our students or former students.

It is through these projects that we see the positive character of many of our young adults continue to develop. Giving back, even in small ways, is one of the greatest gifts we can give during the holiday season. I am thankful for the great student body we have in Columbia Falls and the outstanding support that is provided to the school from the community. I wish you the best over your holiday season and hope your time is filled with enjoyment with your family and friends.

Alan Robbins is the principal at Columbia Falls High School.