SBHS students donate for charity
During the holiday season San Benito High School students gave
back to people in need. Students took part in a biannual blood
drive, and collected toys and canned foods for donation.
SBHS students donate for charity
During the holiday season San Benito High School students gave back to people in need. Students took part in a biannual blood drive, and collected toys and canned foods for donation.
On Dec. 3, the blood drive began at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m. in the O’Donnell Gym.
“58 units of blood were collected,” said Jackie Whitehead, President of the Red Cross Club at SBHS. “It’s a record for our school.”
Overall, 67 donors gave blood.
Laurie Cottrell, an advisor for the club said, “It was a huge success.”
Once again SBHS students donated more blood than other schools in the area, Cottrell said.
“Even if you are afraid of needles, you should still donate,” said Dillon Grow, 17, who donated blood and helped during the drive. “[Giving blood] saves lives and it is really easy.”
The next blood drive is scheduled for March 10. If students want to give blood, they must be 17 or older (students who are 16 must have a signed permission slip). Students must also be over 110 pounds.
SBHS students also collected toys for children in the community. Sarah Bartholf, student commissioner of Community Affairs explained that the toy drive allows student to give toys to children in the community who might otherwise go without them.
“Students bring toys for a good cause,” Bartholf said.
Students brought toys to school, and on Dec. 5, the toys were placed under the class trees during the BLT (Baler Lunch Time).
“We would like to thank everyone [who was involved],” Bartholf said.
Student Activities Director Juan Robledo said he likes having the fire department come to the school.
“Instead of coming for emergencies, they comes for toys,” he said.
David Young, an engineer at the local fire department went to the high school to collect toys.
“We store them at Station Two until Dec. 22,” Young said. “They are then taken to Salvation Army Mission on Buena Vista Road.”
The toys are distributed through Dec. 23 and 24 along with food from the Salvation Army.
The annual food drive that ended Dec. 12 brought in nearly 2,500 pounds of canned food.
“Sharing and giving to the community is an important thing for schools to foster,” Robledo said.
Teacher Derek Barnes’ class collected the most cans during the month collection. His classes brought in 1,126 cans of food and were given doughnuts for their efforts. ASB (Associated Student Body) officers collected the cans from classrooms during fourth period. The cans of food will be given to families in need, as well as the Community Pantry Food Bank and homeless shelter in Hollister.
“I am hoping more and more kids become contributors,” Robledo said.
