For Scott Moore’s leadership students at Freeman High School, caring for others has transitioned from a class assignment to a life lesson. For the past five years, Mr. Moore and his students have demonstrated caring for the community by holding “15 Days of Giving” – collecting different items each week that support Freeman families and other organizations. Starting on December 1, they will collect new or gently used clothes. The next week the collection shifts to new and slightly used toys, followed by blankets and coats the final week starting December 15. All items are donated to Freeman families in need and then to area charities – the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Project SPEAR, and Blessings Under the Bridge.
Mr. Moore reports students do not always initially understand the number of people in need in their community, but projects such as the “15 Days of Giving” really “opens up their eyes to the needs around them…they understand they can step up and help.”
PACE Partner Freeman School District also exhibits caring by having a “giving tree” in both the high school and middle school with items needed by and gift suggestions for Freeman families in need.
Although food donations are also collected during the “15 Days of Giving”, an official food drive recently concluded, just prior to Thanksgiving break. Mr. Moore and his leadership class led the effort to collect 40 turkeys and an impressive 2000 pounds of food for the North Palouse Community Food Bank.
By showing “genuine concern for the welfare of others”, Freeman students and staff make a real difference in their community by demonstrating the good character trait of caring.
Freeman High School Food Drive Winners: Mr. Smith’s Senior Civics Class
