by August Barham and Abby Smith
Student Council works hard to make Winter Days and success and Christmas a meaningful time for foster children in Transylvania County.
Student Council is beginning their favorite service project, Winter Days.
One of Student council’s teacher leaders, Katherine Bailey, explained what Winter Days is about.
“During Winter Days, Student Council helps provide Christmas presents for foster kids in Transylvania County who otherwise would be unable to afford them,” Bailey said.
Although Student Council works hard to make Winter Days a success, the project originates outside of the high school in the Department of Social Services.
“The Department of Social Services tells me how many foster children they have, and Student Council tries to get as much off their wish list as possible. We then bring the wrapped gifts to the DSS to distribute,” said Bailey.
Student Council takes many steps behind the scenes to make the final result a happy Christmas for many Transylvania County foster children.
First, council members go out into the community to try and gain funds from local businesses. Members also contact BHS sports teams, clubs, and staff, to see if they are able make financial contributions.
“Our fundraising goal this year is $25,000 so that we can help as many children as possible,” said Bailey.
The second step to make winter days a success is going out and purchasing the gifts. Once the fundraising goal is met, Student Council members go out with the children’s wish lists to purchase as many items as possible.
“Shopping is one of my favorite parts of the service project. I love looking at the shelves and picking out something that I know will make a child’s Christmas morning,” said junior class president Aly Henneberry.
After the gifts have been gathered, Student Council has a wrapping party. The object of this gathering is to get all of the gifts wrapped and organized so leaders can give them to the Department of Social Services to distribute. This stage of the service project can be difficult, but students still have a good time.
“The wrapping party is my favorite part of Winter Days because everyone brings food, plays music, and it is just a lot of fun,” said Henneberry.
Overall the Winter Days service project is a very busy time for Student Council, but it is also enjoyable and fulfilling.
“It is a very stressful couple of weeks, but overall it is very rewarding,” said Bailey.
Though it costs $50 to sponsor a child, individuals can donate any amount to help. To make a donation contact Kathryn Bailey at kmbailey@tcsnc.org.