Freeport students embrace giving back

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The holiday season is upon us and students throughout Freeport Public Schools have enthusiastically embraced assisting those in need through food drives, turkey trots, and fundraisers for local and regional support organizations.

Students and staff from Leo F. Giblyn, New Visions, and Archer Street elementary schools gathered a large amount of nonperishable food items for Freeport Outreach and the Our Holy Redeemer Food Pantry. The food bank will deliver thousands of food items to households in need throughout the holiday season. Additionally, kindergarten students from Columbus Avenue School created Thanksgiving bracelets with colorful beads that represented many Thanksgiving season principles, including yellow for peace and friendliness, an ideal that Freeport Schools consistently tries to implement.

“During this time of giving thanks, it is important to remember the needs of others,” Superintendent of Schools, Kishore Kuncham said. “Giving just a little goes a long way and for our students to express their gratitude to our community with such great generosity is truly phenomenal.”

The annual turkey trot at Archer Street Elementary School drew children outdoors wearing colorful crowns and waving festive Thanksgiving signs as they marched around the school building to collect donations for Island Harvest. To thank the regional organization for their support of the school system, the students and staff raised $3,500.

The turkey trot at Bayview Avenue Elementary School also served to collect donations for those in need, with students and staff contributing over $1,300.

Working jointly in the spirit of generosity, the Human Relations Club at Freeport High School organized a “Change 4 Change” loose change fundraiser as well as a food drive, with all donated products and funds raised donated to Island Harvest after Thanksgiving.

“The efforts of our students to think beyond their own wants and needs is truly a testament to the wonderful sense of connection we have in our district and the importance we place on being impactful, upstanding members of society,” Kuncham said.