The holiday season is a time for giving and Carlisle High School is no stranger to it. While some may provide gifts to those closest to them, like friends and family, many use this time to contribute to organizations helping those who need it most. According to balancingeverything.com, about 30%, or one-third, of total annual donations occur during the month of December. CHS groups are hoping to harness the giving spirit of December to benefit our community at large.

Many care for their pets as though they are their own children. Not only does Robert Wright’s Work Experience Class provide joy to the community by volunteering at Project Share and C-LUV Thrift four to five times a month, but they also made and will be delivering dog treats to teachers and staff this season. 

This process will not only help those in need but also the students of the class as “activities like these, give our students real-life work experience,” according to Wright.

The treats are made with flour, eggs, Wow Butter (peanut butter substitute), pumpkin puree, salt, and cinnamon. Each bag ordered comes with seven treats and has a suggested donation of $3 per bag. It is important to note that all money received will be supporting Project Share. Orders closed Friday, December 10 and the treats were delivered on Thursday, December 16 to the classrooms and offices of those who ordered. Payment, in cash, will be collected at the time of delivery or you may put the money in Wright’s mailbox in the McGowan office.

On another note, Class Councils collected monetary donations for Adopt-A-Family for the 18th year. Adopt-A-Family is a program that helps to provide local families with gifts during the holiday season that they otherwise couldn’t afford. Some may think that this isn’t an issue that greatly affects people in the area, however, 15.8% of Carlisle, PA residents had an income below the poverty level in 2019. Those who are now out of work, and dropped below the poverty level, due to the pandemic were not included in this statistic, so the real number is likely much higher. Adopt-A-Family Donations were collected during lunch periods by Class Council members and the last day for donations was December 10.

In order to help those who have typically not had access to new or like-new books, the National English Honor Society hosted a book drive this holiday season. Junior Ashley Richwine said she spearheaded this book drive because she wants “nothing more than for these kids to be able to read and find something new that they love to do,” as elementary school is when she realized her passion for reading.

Books donated will be going to district elementary schools. Donations were accepted from December 7 – 17 at the Fowler entrance, McGowan Office, Swartz Office, and library in decorated boxes. In total, 273 books were collected for students in Carlisle! 

Previously known for donating their profits from merchandise for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Veterans Day, Bison Corner is expanding to new territories and hosting a food drive this year. Bison Corner operations manager and senior, Sophia Morrison, said that this holiday season they “wanted to involve the whole school… so that [they] could show the sense of community that we have at CHS”. 

The Bison Corner has partnered with Project Share, so all donated food will go directly to the people in our own community who need it most. They are looking to collect canned beans, canned vegetables, canned soup, peanut butter, whole grains, and canned fruit. Donations can be dropped off at the Bison Corner from December 6 – December 21. If you are questioning whether or not you should participate, keep in mind that donating gives you a chance at a raffle prize.

While many frown at the idea of getting socks, gloves, scarves, and hats as their gift for the holidays, those who are struggling sometimes wish for nothing more. The Black Student Union is hosting a clothing drive this December. Items will be collected in English classrooms throughout the school and in N315. All donations will go directly to the Salvation Army and are due by December 22.

Carlisle Esports is selling water bottles for $15 each. Not only do you get a water bottle that is supporting a school club, but each purchase also comes with a free Bison sticker. A portion of the funds from each sale will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose mission is “to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment”. You can place an order at https://forms.gle/SEsTwixa9bZxWSic8. Your merchandise can be picked up in David Rodkey’s room (L127) or from the Bison Corner. Don’t worry if you can’t order one right now as the sales of the water bottles will continue for a majority of the school year.

Even if you can’t provide any donations this holiday season, there are always opportunities to volunteer or simply maintain cheer in the community. Places looking for community service members now are Hope Station’s Professional & Educational Employment Center (Contact: [email protected]) and Cumberland Valley Cares. CHS’s students and staff are helping the public one donation at a time.