BY DAYAMI VILORIA
OBHS hosts many amazing charities to help those in need during the holidays, including Toys for Tots, a coat drive, a giving tree, and a clothing drive. Students can still contribute through December 22.
The Marine Corps organized the charity event Toys for Tots to distribute toys to less fortunate families. “I think it is a good cause, most people only really see it during the holiday time, but it is a drive that goes around on a daily basis trying to find toys for people,” said Xavier Alcorn.
Peer students organized the effort in OBHS. “The whole experience was fun and was a feel-good experience for everyone involved,” said Gabriella Malanga. Students dropped off unwrapped toys to the GNC Main Office or the Student Life Office to contribute to the charity.
The Peer classes organized a Santa Con event on December 1 to kick off the Toys for Tots collection and inspire student involvement. “It was good, I definitely dressed up and I saw a lot of people that were dressed up and were really happy,” said Julia Gervase. Students and staff dressed in holiday attire and took pictures with Santa Claus during lunches.
On December 12, the Peer classes collected the donations from schools throughout the district and delivered them to Toys for Tots. “Collecting the toys felt amazing, especially going into the elementary schools and walking around the building watching the little kids smiles brighten and run up to hug my classmates and I because we were dressed up as elves and reindeers,” said Gabriella Malanga.
During this holiday season, the History Honor Society organized their first coat drive for people in need, such as the homeless, children in foster care, and refugees. “[The] History Honor Society strongly believes in giving back to our community,” said Amna Ali. “This year, we wanted to focus largely on service and helping those who are less fortunate.”
Students and staff may drop off new and gently used coats in a donation box in Mr. Weiner’s room (M248) and in Ms. Mason’s room (M233) until December 22. “I feel great to be a part of the coat drive because I know that every jacket donated will be put to use by someone in need,” said Krish Kolhatkar.
The Youth Merit Funding Organization arranged a clothing drive to obtain at least 300 items for local foster children. “UMFA was inspired to host a clothing drive once we thought about how cold it was outside and how badly it could affect those who don’t have access to warm clothes,” said Jayden Junaid.
The UMFA will gather new clothing items, accessories, and shoes from the drop off locations in EMGNC 107, M233, and the Main Cafeteria. The drive will end on December 22. “I feel amazing because we are giving to foster children who can’t bring anything but their clothes when they move, so giving to them would make them happy, which would make the team and I happy as well,” said Om Pandya.
These incredible holiday charity events at OBHS help spread joy during this holiday season. Although the Toys for Tots collection ended earlier this week, students can donate coats and clothes through December 22.
Posted on 12/15/23
Photos by Katelyn Buchalter
Lila Feldman dressed as Rudolph and brought in a present to donate for Santa Con. 
Natalia Czajkowski, Reahna Hines, Gaby Malanga, and Robert Waitt, as Santa Claus, talk to an elementary school class they stopped in to collect Toys for Tots donation. 
Kayla Wilson, Saloni Gupta, and Julia Mikucki hang up garland to decorate the bus the Peer students used to collect donated toys throughout the district. 
Naomi Rivera, Soham Purav and Xavier Alcorn work together to carry a giant box of donation out of the Joann Torre Administration Building as Naomi Rivera backs them up. 
Julia Mikucki, Julia Gervase, and Gaby Malanga greet a group of elementary school students as they make their rounds, collecting donations for Toys for Tots. 
Julia Pawliszyn fills out a card to win a free prom bid, a reward offered to inspire students to donate to Toys for Tots. 
Saloni Gupta and Gaby Malanga hand packages down the line to get them loaded on the bus. 
Gaby Malanga, Natalia Czajkowski, Kayla Wilson, Guy Lassen, Siya Goyal, and Soham Purav gather a large batch of donations and prepare to haul them out to the bus. 
Guy Lassen carries a sack of donations while walking down the hall of Carl Sandburg Middle School with Rehana Hinds and bell0ringing Santa Claus, Robert Waitt.
Knight Life 