Click on the project you would like to view.
Ask your group to adopt a different service project each month of the school year. The concept includes adopting a monthly theme such as "Imagine A World Without Poverty" or "Imagine A World Without Cancer." Then, collect money, goods, or do something to make that idea come true. Award a "Charity Key" to the student or school with the best participation throughout the year.
Helpful Hints: Plan far in advance. Don't overdo it. Spread the projects out and find a place in advance to accept the charity donations.
EAST PENNSBORO AREA HIGH SCHOOL
This forum can coordinate the efforts of each service club in the school into one organized group. Invite the presidents of each group to form the Board of the Forum. All members of each group make up the entire forum. Have periodic meetings to organize cross-group activities. This forum can be an excellent addition to the school.
CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL
Organize a group of members to be volunteer tutors in the district elementary schools either after school or during the lunch periods. Organize this with the elementary school principals and teachers.
HATBORO-HORSHAM HIGH SCHOOL
The dance marathon is held from 6:00 PM Friday until 6:00 PM Saturday. Each student participating is responsible for raising at least $50 toward the cause. Students may earn this by asking family, neighbors, teachers and friends to sponsor them for the event. Have students ask local grocery stores, pizza parlors and delis to donate food for the participants. Any left-over food can be donated to a shelter. There is potential to raise $2000.
WILLIAM ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. __________ (Use Your School Name)
Five senior males dress up for various themes for one week. The guys carry jars and collect money for a selected charity. Examples of daily themes consist of dressing up as old ladies, as geeks, as YMCA men or in school colors.
MARPLE NEWTOWN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and other toiletries to donate to a homeless shelter.
ST. JOHN BOSCO SCHOOL
Set up a faculty basketball game featuring your school versus a rival school. The game is a fun, friendly competition and raises money through tickets sales for the Red Cross.
TYRONE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
This project works in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to pick up trash along public roadsides several times during the year (PENNDOT asks for four times, but will accept less). Obtain permission from the school administration for liability protection. Choose a 2-mile section of public road that would be convenient and safe for students to police. Contact the district office of PENNDOT and schedule an appointment for the advisor and student leaders to meet with the Adopt-A-Highway director. At this meeting, the program will be explained and a stretch of highway will be assigned. Prior to each pick-up, secure supplies and arrange for the trash bags to be picked up by the district office. Publicize the program and set up times for students to view the safety video. Arrange transportation to and from the location. Ask teachers to issue extra credit for student participation in the project. Have the participating students sign-in and distribute copies of this list to teachers for recognition. Upon completion, students should be thanked with a small token of appreciation.
Helpful Hints: The advisor should periodically drive slowly along the roadway to watch for safety concerns or problems.
BERMUDIAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
CENTRAL CAMBRIA HIGH SCHOOL
Organize a Miniature Golf Tournament at a nearby amusement park or course.
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Invite others schools to participate. Each school selects five artistic students to participate. The students from all schools get together and paint a mural at a day care center or senior home.
Cost: The cost of materials; many of which can be donated.
BISHOP MC DEVITT HIGH SCHOOL
Assign members certain times (once a week or once a month) to recycle. The job involves sorting cans from recycling bins in the school into garbage bags and putting them in storage. The bags are then taken to a recycling center, which pays the group for the items donated. Members are also in charge of cleaning and changing liners in the recycling bins.
Helpful Hints: The job is easier if students work in pairs. It is also possible to collect paper, plastic and glass for recycling. Emphasize how this project benefits the environment as well as the group.
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
This project is done as part of "Make A Difference Day," a national day of volunteerism. Each member volunteers three hours on this day by doing a job such as helping an elderly person to clean an attic or garage, painting the bathrooms at school, performing outdoor beautification work, etc. Set a goal for total hours (500). Conduct several Helping Hands Days throughout the year.
Helpful Hints: Parental permission is necessary. Have students submit a written report signed by an adult to demonstrate completion.
AMBRIDGE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Coordinate this project with the elementary school principals. Have students from your group write and practice skits on various topics such as drinking, self esteem, etc. Students then go to the district elementary schools and perform the skits for the children.
HATBORO-HORSHAM HIGH SCHOOL
This is a different type of Penny Drive. Have students sign out a money box to take home for three months. During this time, they will collect loose change from their families and place it in the boxes. Donate the collected money to a local nursing home. Add incentives for the students by giving awards of appreciation.
Helpful Hints: Make sure the boxes are sturdy and labeled. If a box is full before the end of the three months, the student can sign out another box.
MARS AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Collect tabs from soda pop cans. Establish a drop-off point and ask students and faculty to bring in the soda pop tabs. Offer prizes to people who contribute the most tabs. These tabs can be sent to the Cleveland Clinic where they raise funds for patients on dialysis machines.
Cost: Mailing of the soda pop tabs.
BERLIN BROTHERSVALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
This project works well with the cooperation of your math department. Ask students to receive pledges from relatives, friends and teachers for three, five, ten or more cents for each problem they will solve. Give each participant two hundred math problems to solve in seven days. The problems can be compiled into a fun booklet. Ask your math teachers to give credit or even extra credit for completion of the booklet. Offer prizes such as T-shirts or admission to a fun park. The proceeds can be donated to any charity.
WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hold an AIDS Workshop to educate all students about AIDS. This will also provide experts on AIDS to talk with students. This event will raise awareness about the disease and encourage support groups to do activities that help hospices, etc. Ask professionals from the Red Cross to conduct the workshop. It should be an interactive experience to discuss issues that are often sensitive.
SPRINGSIDE SCHOOL
Sponsor a one-day conference for the older Americans in the school district. Send members to visit the senior citizens centers and distribute registration materials two months prior to the conference. These materials should include a choice of two classroom visitations and two workshops. On the day of the conference, have the older Americans check-in and choose a lunch from the day's menu. An alternate idea is to have a buffet. Hold the opening session in the auditorium, with welcoming remarks from the superintendent, principal, advisor and conference chair. Ask the chamber singers or jazz band to provide entertainment. Offer a tour of the facilities. Each participant should be paired with a student escort. The escorts take the guests to the classroom visitations. Also conduct workshops which can include: values, lifestyles then and now, music or a question and answer session (between students and the guests). The closing session can include a speaker, a short movie or a preview of the high school musical. Offer some door prizes. There is no cost for the guests to attend.
Cost: Depends on number of participants (approximately $100 - $300).
Helpful Hints: Require pre-registration. Be sure to obtain permission from the classroom teachers for visitations.
DALLASTOWN
AREA HIGH SCHOOL
SLIPPERY ROCK AREA HIGH SCHOOL
This very worthy endeavor is conducted with the assistance of the American Red Cross. Publicize by advertising the event in local newspapers and on local television stations. This will get a good public turnout. The Red Cross will provide a short assembly for all eligible students and will answer questions and concerns. Following the assembly, have students sign up to donate (during a study hall or lunch if possible). Make a student master schedule and issue passes to leave class. Ask local businesses to donate door prizes. Members will serve as greeters and canteen workers during the event.
Helpful Hints: Allow students to choose a buddy to donate with if they are apprehensive. It is a nice touch to decorate the blood drive area.
CAMBRIA
HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
CENTRAL CAMBRIA HIGH SCHOOL
MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
The length of this project can be one or two weeks. Have all students in the school bring in canned food and non-perishable items. This can be done in many creative ways. One way is that each class can have a quota of 8 items per student and prizes or incentives can be offered to the class that meets its quota and collects the most. Another method is to have each homeroom compete against the others. Totals can be figured by counting the items, weighing the items (which eliminates counting small items) or by giving 2 item points per $1.00 donated. Prizes or incentives could include an ice cream party, a donut party, a special movie assembly or early dismissal. The food can be donated to a local church, food pantry or the Salvation Army. An extra effort can include a follow through of volunteer work in a soup kitchen, where the students actually cook and serve the food collected and clean up afterwards.
Helpful Hints: Have many boxes ready for packing the food.
CAMBRIA
HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
KANE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
KITTANNING AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
LINCOLN JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MOHAWK HIGH SCHOOL
NORWIN WEST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL
TUSSEY MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
UNION AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Breakfast In Disneyland (For a detailed plan, click here.)
This project for young children, orphans or neglected children in the community can be done at any time during the year. Select a large area of the school to be decorated with streamers, stuffed animals and pictures of Disney characters. Have members dress up as various Disney characters to greet the children as they arrive. Ask members to prepare and serve breakfast to the children. After breakfast, show some Disney cartoons or a movie and play simple games with prizes for the winners. Mickey Mouse could have a story time. Send each child home with presents, balloons, cookies and good memories.
Cost: Depends upon the number of children, type of breakfast, prizes, movies, etc.
Helpful Hints: Have plenty of chaperones to help and be sure to carry out the Disney theme.
Visit a senior citizen's home and arrange to meet with the manager to advertise the program. Set aside a day every week or every other week when a group of students will visit the meeting room of the home to meet with their "grandparents." This time could be spent reading, writing letters, running errands, shopping with them, helping with chores, etc. Members could get help from the "grandparents" decorating the meeting room according to the season. Assign specific students to "grandparents" so bonds can begin to grow. Invite these "grandparents" to school-sponsored events like plays, musicals and talent shows.
Cost: None.
Helpful Hints: Have a meeting in advance with the manager to explain the program. Do a lot of advertising to get "grandparents" to attend the first meeting and hear about the service.
Organize a dance for your local senior citizens. Book an appropriate band for this age group. Find a group that specializes in music from the 30's and 40's. Coordinate bus pick-ups at the senior citizen's homes. Make sure each home has posters announcing the date. Also publicize the dance on radio stations, the local access channel and in newspapers. Call senior apartment buildings and nursing homes to inform them. Invite all clubs in your school to participate. Ask local businesses for donations and meet with the school cafeteria personnel to order food. A good menu includes finger sandwiches, fruit and vegetable trays, homemade cookies, chips, pretzels, coffee, punch and soft drinks. A dinner buffet could also be provided. Choose a theme or special colors and coordinate decorations. Ask your local funeral homes for flower donations. All students dress up, mingle, dance with and serve food to the senior citizens. This event will be well received by your community and is a great way to promote intergenerational understanding.
Cost: Depends on size of event and what is donated, approximately $3000.
Helpful Hints: When choosing a date, remember mid-winter is not good for many senior citizens to be out. Prepare a coat check area if necessary. Be prepared early because senior citizens like to arrive early. Offer a large quantity and variety of food. Have plenty of tables and chairs available.
ALTOONA AREA
HIGH SCHOOL
HANOVER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
KNOCH HIGH SCHOOL
Take the school's talent show on the road. Select some acts and take portable lights, sound system, stage and costumes to a senior citizen's home. Work with the home to determine length and the best time to present the show. For patients that are unable to get out, the efforts will be sincerely appreciated. This event will become an annual affair requested by both students and seniors.
Cost: Transportation.
Helpful Hints: Prepare students for what they may see.
Hold the Haunted Hallway near Halloween. Involve all students in the school. Assign designated areas of a major hallway to be decorated by each group of students participating. The entire result should be a "Haunted House." Students spend three hours after school and create the scenes. The event is held that evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Charge $1.00 for children under 12 and $2.00 for children 13 and up. Make posters, send flyers to area schools and advertise in the newspapers. The proceeds can be donated to any charity.
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL
More Info available
This activity provides a safe location for youngsters in the community to participate in Halloween. Hold this just prior to Halloween, but do not coincide with the Trick-Or-Treat nights in the community. Six weeks prior to Halloween, ask all clubs, sports teams, and faculty groups to participate in this event by decorating a room in the school and manning it to hand out Halloween treats. Pair each participating group with a room in the school. Three weeks prior to the activity, extend an invitation through the elementary schools, for all children in the community that are in grades three and under to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no cost to attend. The event is held at the high school from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Offer punch and cookies in the cafeteria throughout the night. Every half hour hold a costume contest and give prizes.
Cost: $300. Each group is responsible for its own decorations and treats. Much of it can be donated by area businesses. Before setting a date, call the townships or fire departments in the community to find out when the community trick-or-treat nights will be. Avoid these dates.
MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Place a labeled jar in the cafeteria for each grade in the building. The class is awarded points as follows: each penny counts as one POSITIVE point and all other coins and bills count as NEGATIVE points. For example: a quarter is negative 25 points. This generates a lot of competition and fun in the school. Offer a donut breakfast or pizza party to the winning class. Use the money collected to purchase grocery certificates for Thanksgiving dinners for needy families in the community.
PINE-RICHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Feed needy families in the area by collecting food and money through the homerooms. Assign each homeroom a type of food item to collect for Thanksgiving dinners, for example: cranberry sauce, loaves of bread, gravy mix, potatoes, dinner rolls, etc. Use money from a group fundraiser or ask each club to donate $10 to help purchase turkeys and baskets. Fill the baskets with food and ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner. Coordinate this project with the guidance department or local churches to pinpoint needy families in the community.
Helpful Hints: Start publicizing early, but have the collection deadline near Thanksgiving so the food is fresh. Work with a local market to get a deal on the turkeys. Route a delivery plan and use family vans to distribute the food baskets.
PENN-TRAFFORD
HIGH SCHOOL
SUSQUENITA HIGH SCHOOL
WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sponsor a hat day on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Students that participate pay 50 cents to wear a hat in school on this day. The money is collected during homeroom by the homeroom representative. Once a student pays, he or she receives a turkey sticker that must be displayed on the hat. All money collected is donated to a charity. To add a different twist, collect a canned good instead of money.
Cost: $10.00 for the stickers.
Helpful Hints: Have a lot of announcements the week before and invite teachers to participate as well. Have students sign a list in case teachers question a student. Make sure the stickers "STICK."
SENECA VALLEY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
KNOCH MIDDLE SCHOOL
This is a wonderful activity that everyone, even physically challenged students, can participate in. It is also a great way for students and faculty to get exercise. Give students the sponsor forms a month prior to the event. Ask students to get pledges from sponsors for 20, 30, 40 or 50 cents per lap around the school track. Flat donations may also be accepted in place of a pledge. The walk, jog, run takes place during the last period of the day twice per year: Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving) and Easter Hop (Easter). At the end of each lap, each student receives a potholder loop to place on his or her wrist. This helps to count the laps. Use the football scoreboard to count down the time left to walk. All students who participate are rewarded with a "Turkey" or "Bunny" cookie and juice or water. Proceeds can benefit any local charity.
This event can become so popular that you can add other activities to it. Have a "Turkey Trot" or "Easter Hop" Dance the night before. Have a student, teacher or administrator dress up as a turkey or bunny and visit the lunches. Students can have their pictures taken with the special visitor.
Cost: The potholder loops, costume, refreshments. (Try to get most things donated.)
Helpful Hints: Make a copy of the completed pledge form so the advisor and student will have a list of money to be collected. Make a special pass/permission slip to be signed by the last period teacher and collect it when the student arrives to walk. Station faculty members or volunteers on the sidelines to help keep students moving and to avoid congested traffic.
BALDWIN HIGH
SCHOOL
CHARTIERS VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Collect used coats that have been cleaned from students, faculty, neighbors and through churches over a period of three weeks in October. On a Saturday in early November, hold an Annual Coat Sale in the gym. Price the coats from $1.00 to $5.00. The money can be donated to a charity.
Helpful Hints: Borrow hangers from local cleaners so all coats can be hung. Have metal and wood shops at school make coat racks from pipes and wooden stands.
FORD CITY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Hold a community-wide canned food drive on Election Day. Coordinate the efforts with the election board and polling stations two months prior to the event. Have students staff the polling stations in the district in two-hour time intervals. Ask other clubs to help. Open the collection stations from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Publicize the project in the local newspapers, radio and TV stations one week prior to the event.
Cost: None.
Helpful Hints: Plan early and coordinate pick up and delivery services.
NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL
Organize this project with the elementary or preschools within the district. Three weeks prior to Christmas, ask children in grades 2 and under to write a letter to Santa. Have the teachers collect them and send them to the North Pole (the high school). Members respond to the letters and send back a personal reply from Santa with a candy kiss or candy cane to make it special.
Cost: $100 for the candy.
Helpful Hints: Display the letters on a high school bulletin board to share the Christmas spirit.
The county Salvation Army organizes a program at Christmastime called Adopt-A-Family. This program benefits needy families and enables them to have a wonderful Christmas. Ask all clubs to be involved on a volunteer basis. Participating clubs decide the family size they want to sponsor. Your group can organize the school's efforts with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will supply information about each family, such as first names, ages, clothing sizes and a list of toys or gifts, which are special wishes. Your group should provide this information to the other clubs. It is then the individual club's responsibility to buy gifts for its family. Give the clubs a deadline to turn in items. Work with the Salvation Army to deliver the gifts. There are certain procedures required as far as wrapping and labeling the gifts. The names and family information for needy families can be obtained through groups other than the Salvation Army. A similar project can be coordinated with local Children and Youth Services.
Cost: Varies depending on items purchased.
Helpful Hints: Purchasing gift certificates from a local grocery or department store for the entire family adds a nice touch. The program should begin in mid-October. The Salvation Army will be able to provide information by early November. Allow a month to buy and collect the items.
BISHOP MC
DEVITT HIGH SCHOOL
MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
SLIPPERY ROCK AREA HIGH SCHOOL
TYRONE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Place a Christmas tree in the cafeteria and ask students and faculty to donate NEW socks, mittens, gloves, hats or caps. Hang these items on the tree. Also ask area businesses to donate items. Hold a Christmas Sock Hop, asking for a donation as the admission price. On the Friday before Christmas, take the collected items to a community action center in the county to be distributed to needy families in the area.
Cost: $50 for the tree and lights.
NORTH CLARION HIGH SCHOOL
This can add a new twist to the traditional door decorating contest for the holiday season. Ask your students to decorate the homeroom doors with individually-made Christmas cards. Each student who participates creates a card using his or her creative ability (no computers allowed). No names should appear on the front or inside of the card (back only). Give a deadline for the contest. The judges go from homeroom to homeroom to rate the cards on creative ability, neatness, correct spelling and a Christmas message or theme. Each homeroom can have a first and second place winner. Throw a special pizza party for the winners. Afterwards, send the cards to a local nursing home or youth center.
Cost: The price of pizza or prizes.
Helpful Hints: Make specific rules and instructions available to all homeroom teachers.
ROCK L. BUTLER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Look in your newspaper or call your local Armed Services for names and addresses of people in the Armed Services. Devote an entire meeting to this project. Provide a variety of stationery and envelopes for the members. Ask members to write holiday letters or make cards for our Service People. Your group should provide the stamps.
Helpful Hints: Play Christmas music and have snacks while members are writing or making the cards. It puts everyone in the mood.
WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hold a Breakfast With Santa on a Saturday morning near Christmas. Invite district children to have breakfast, sit on Santa's lap, make crafts and participate in other fun activities.
HATBORO-HORSHAM HIGH SCHOOL
Sponsor an Angel Tree through the United Way. Have angels delivered to the school (40 is a good beginning number). Place the angels on a Christmas tree in the main office. Angels are to be taken by students, staff and faculty. Gifts are to be returned to the school and are sorted by your group before being picked up by the United Way.
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL
Hold an annual Toys For Tots collection. Each morning for one week, collect new and used toys to be given to needy children. In addition, hold a dance and show movies. Admission to the dance or movie is the donation of a toy. Popcorn and soda pop can also be purchased by the donation of a toy.
Helpful Hints: Be certain to have many people to help collect the toys.
NORTHEAST BRADFORD JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Order 300 poinsettia plants through a local florist. Make a deal to get them at cost. Ask members to sell 250 of the plants at a small profit to the group. This will pay for all 300 plants and leave some extra money to buy materials for cards. Have members make cards and attach them to the fifty remaining plants. Deliver these plants to the elderly shut-ins in the area.
Cost: None - the sales pay for the gift flowers.
Helpful Hints: The number of plants ordered depends on the size of the group and community needs. It is a good idea to order the flowers in September.
COWANESQUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Volunteers escort patients in wheelchairs to and from the home's Christmas program and attend the program with them.
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL
Get a list of the needs from a local senior care home. Members purchase these as Christmas presents. Wrap them and deliver them to the home, while visiting with the seniors.
Cost: Various costs to individual members.
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL
The Great Basketball Shoot-Out
Ask the senior girl and boy basketball players to participate. These players obtain pledges from students, faculty, neighbors, businesses and relatives. Money is pledged for each point the player scores. Hold an all-school assembly for the event. Mark off five areas on the court with masking or electrical tape. Record points as follows: a lay-up = 1 point, 12 shot = 2 points, 15 shot = 3 points, 18 shot = 4 points and 22 shot = 5 points. Give each player 1 1/2 minutes to shoot baskets. Record the points. Prizes can be given to the students with the most points. Ask each participant to turn in the pledge money within one week of the event. This money can be donated to any local charity.
Cost: Minimal.
ALTOONA AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Valentine's Day Carnation Sale
Coordinate efforts with a local florist to buy the carnations at a good price. Take orders for carnations during the last week of January. The decorative order form should include a space for "To, From, Homeroom, Color and Message." Each carnation color can have a special meaning such as, RED - "I Love You," PINK - "I Like You" and WHITE - "Friends." The night before delivery, members will attach the messages and organize the flowers by homeroom. It is a nice gesture to make sure every student receives at least one flower. The profits can be donated to a local charity.
Helpful Hints: Be certain to check with the florist in advance about price and color availability.
NEWTOWN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The freshman class chooses three males and the senior class chooses three males to be candidates for Sir Valentine. Two weeks prior to the Valentineís Day Dance, place change buckets for each of the candidates in a highly visible location. The entire school votes on a freshman Sir Valentine and senior Sir Valentine by placing money in the buckets. In each grade, the candidate with the most money will be the winner. The money can be donated to a local charity.
Cost: $240 for decorations, gift certificates, D.J. and security.
Helpful Hints: Give the winners a gift certificate as a prize. Cover Burger King Crowns with aluminum foil to use as crowns.
COLUMBIA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Invite each student in grades K-8 to participate in a Valentine Coloring Contest. Sheets must be colored using crayon only. Accept only one entry per student. Have members judge them and select one winner per grade. Treat the lucky winners to breakfast with the principal at a local diner.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
Sponsor a 30-hour famine by asking students to get pledges from sponsors. Set a minimum of $10.00 total in order to participate. During the famine, have the students stay at school. Hold a dance, have group games, movies and other activities to keep them busy. It is a nice touch to show the video produced by "World Vision." Have plenty of juice and water on hand and schedule breaks. End the 30 hours with a huge pizza party. Donate proceeds to World Hunger.
Cost: Juice (try to get it donated).
Helpful Hints: Make sure you have plenty of supervision for the activities. Have two separate sleeping areas for the girls and boys. Ask students to bring their own sleeping bags and pillows.
NORTHEAST BRADFORD JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Three weeks prior to the event, extend an invitation to kindergarten and first-grade students to attend. This can be done on a weekend or organized during a school day. Before the children arrive, members hide plastic Easter eggs in a designated area. If the activity is outside, have students stand as boundary markers. In case of rain, hide the eggs in the gym and plan other fun activities. Before hiding the eggs, count them and fill them with prizes, candy or money. Offer larger prizes for those who find the most eggs. Choose a welcoming group of 4-6 students to help the children make name tags and put them on. Offer refreshments (punch and cookies) in the cafeteria afterward and have a student dressed as the Easter Bunny.
Helpful Hints: Order prizes from toy catalogs or get them at the dollar store.
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL
Arrange for speakers or plan other awareness activities for World AIDS Day on December 1. Visit www.worldaidsday.org for more information.
To benefit disadvantaged children organize a "Gingerbread Express" in which paper gingerbread figures have the name, hobbies and size of a child whose parents don't have the means to buy Christmas presents written on them. Council. Students and faculty buy gifts and Student Council wrap them, attach a gingerbread man and distribute them.
Scituate HS, RI
Take up a collection of holiday storybooks and take them to a local elementary school. While there, team up and read the students books.
Jessamine HS NHS, KY
Plan an assembly to honor the veterans in your town for their service to our country.
Work with the counselors at your local school to find out what families might need assistance with obtaining a Thanksgiving meal. Create baskets of food for a traditional meal along with a gift certificate to a local grocery store for fresh items. If anonyminity is desired, have the counselors deliver the food.
Take pets from the Humane Society to a nursing home for a day.
Collect hats, coats, mittens, scarves, and sweaters and donate them to a local homeless shelter to help the homeless survive the winter months.
Set up an appointment to meet with an elementary kid at the library and show them how to use a computer.
Deliver flowers or gift baskets to shut- ins of your community.
On a Saturday morning use your school cafeteria to make food. Wrap plates of the food and deliver it to hungry needy people.
Make cookies for servicemen and women overseas
If there is a hotline to volunteer at and you are a good listener, volunteer your time!
Sell squares of a football field and wait until the cow drops. The winner gets to decide what charity the proceeds go to.
Offer to tutor a student in a weak subject twice a week.
Sixth grade kid become pen pals with high school kids.
High School students visit elementary school kids and take them on activities like bowling.
People dress up like Disney characters and entertain children.
People or things, but donate the money raised to a good charity.
Write to anyone who may need a letter; Younger kids, the elderly, servicemen and women etc.
Ask clubs to set up booths with face painting, games and other activities for kids.
Students correspond with cards over the holiday
Drive to collect toys for the handicapped.
Have a Christmas tree decorated with mittens and hats for the needy.
Have the Aids Quilt brought to your school and make a day of education made out of it. Incorporate speakers and fundraisers.
Create a haunted hayride at a local forest for younger kids.
Charge admissions and the money can go to any charity.
Your local library may need help getting books.
Shake the bells for the Salvation Army.
Help build houses for families that need them.
Make bricks out of paper and sell them for a dollar. Each brick will go toward an outlined house. Once the house is filled, start a new one. The money should go toward Habitat.
Each class has a different colored paper feather that will be sold for a dollar. Once Tommy is filled with feathers the class with the most feathers selects which charity the money should go to.
Top
Turkey Contest
Sponsoring
Organization: Student Council
When the event is held: Week before Thanksgiving
Where it is held: high school
Who participates? Faculty & students (faculty is given the option of
participating)
Purpose: To collect money for local food bank – service project
Teachers are asked to compete for the “Top Turkey of the Year”
award. Each teacher is given a turkey poster to put up in his/her classroom.
Students can then purchase construction paper feathers from a student council
member for 10 cents each to put on a favorite teacher’s turkey. Feathers
may also be removed from a turkey for 25 cents. Teachers are encouraged to
“compete” with each other by buying feathers, removing feathers
from other teacher’s turkeys, or offering incentives (such as extra
points, movies, parties, etc.) to students floor buying feathers for their
own turkeys. Student Council members are assigned to each teacher to decorate
the turkey poster, keep track of the number of feathers sold and removed,
and answer any questions the teacher may have. The winning teacher is “crowned”
at the Thanksgiving assembly (a decorated Burger King crown).
Suggestions for success:
1. We found it necessary to stamp the feathers for identity. Be sure to cut
lots! Since we collected about a $1000 with this project, feather “production”
becomes a bit hectic at the end. In fact, I would suggest making a few “big”
feathers, worth 50 or 100, for the end of the contest, when the competition
gets heated!!
2. Keep the competition positive and focus on the cause, then teachers are
more likely to offer incentives. The winning teachers in the past have offered
their students movies or parties before Christmas break, “late”
paper coupons, or doughnuts for each class donating a certain amount of money.
Senior
Moments
Deliver Meals, holiday cards, friendship cards or notes on a monthly basis.
Senior citizen picnic with cake walks, bingo game, checkers, etc.