Holiday Helping Hands at Three Rivers Schools
The Holidays just got a little brighter for Three Rivers students with a project created by one of their very own. Holiday Helping Hands is a project completely initiated by Taylor High School junior Anna March. “I was coming back from a trip with my family and started recognizing how beautiful it was, how much I was blessed. There are so many people and kids that don’t know how much they are loved. It is really important to me to let other kids know that someone loves them even if that isn’t their family or blood relatives. In my Christian faith we are called to love one another. I came up with Holiday Helping Hands that provides students with necessities including toiletries and fun items like headbands or small toys. I wanted to give them something to meet their needs but also things that bring them joy." Anna was also inspired by her time at the Anthony Munoz Student Leadership Conference where students were asked to come up with a local project that would help the community.
Anna created an Amazon wish list that included a QR code people could scan. She took it to stores in the area as well as the school. With the help of her parents, she asked all of her friends and family to post the project and spread the word. Whitewater Church was instrumental in helping Anna as well as school officials like Marla Heckman and Laura Bramble and parents of Anna’s friends who were all supportive of her initiative. Donors from all over stepped up to send items like shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, and deodorant. Anna wants kids to be able to feel more confident in themselves and be able to take care of themselves over the coming months.
Anna worked with Katie Ryan and Jacket Cares to develop a plan for the project. Anna will help Jacket Cares distribute the bags to students in need as they leave for Winter Break. Three Rivers is so incredibly proud of Anna for her leadership and kind heart. We can’t wait to see the things she will do in the future. She exemplifies the character we wish to develop at Three Rivers Schools and embodies the true Yellowjacket spirit.
(Written by Katie Ryan)