Every year at Christmastime, the faculty, staff and students at High Tech North collect funds to help some of their own who are having financial difficulties.
Project Cheer helps adult students who request assistance to provide a nice Christmas with gifts or food for their own children.
This year has arrived with many more needy families than past years. A survey of the students found that 30 children were in families that requested assistance; High Tech North is a small school.
The student council, with the direction of teachers Kim Williams and Melody Allen, decided to supplement the funds in a creative way. It was announced that there would be a Holiday Auction for a fund-raiser, and the money collected would add to the funds given out to the children of the students.
Students began bringing in “gently used” items that someone else would be able to use. The response was above expectations and a storage area quickly filled with donated treasures. Even some of the families who would be receiving assistance brought items to be auctioned.
Teacher John Porta, dressed as Santa, did the auctioneering while students were in the cafeteria for lunch. From the auction, cash donations from faculty, staff and students, and from two generous anonymous donors approximately $1,500 was collected.
The funds will be divided and presented to the adult students who requested assistance.
All the students, faculty and staff celebrate the generous gifts that were brought and are grateful for the opportunity to help each other during the holiday season.
Project Cheer is a success again this holiday season at High Tech North.