Throughout the West Babylon School District, students and staff came together to help their community during the holiday season. While their efforts were a bit different this year, their good intentions and deeds spread to those in need.
On Dec. 10, a districtwide food drive through event was held. All food collected benefited the West Babylon School District food pantry located at the Senior High School. The pantry feeds West Babylon students and their families throughout the district.
Prior to Thanksgiving, the West Babylon Senior High School distributed 70 turkeys, along with the fixings, to West Babylon families. The turkeys were donated by the Lions Club and Stop and Shop. The high school also adopted 20 families for Christmas this year and flooded their homes with presents and food. Thanks to donations from the community and high school staff, they raised $1,500 for 10 families and the remaining families were adopted personally by central administration, transportation, teachers and families in the community.
South Bay Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Association organized a mitten tree and coat drive in November. The school also held a virtual giving tree through a Target registry. South Bay’s PTA also holds “10 Can Day” each month. The fundraiser would typically happen at school, and students would bring in empty plastic bottles and cans. The PTA would then take the items for recycling and use the money to buy gift cards from Stop and Shop for the district food pantry. Starting over the summer, one West Babylon family offered to do the 10 can day offsite from their home. Parents can drop off recyclables to their home and this has resulted in an enormous surge in recycling. In October, the PTA presented the pantry with a check for $810.
The West Babylon Junior High School held a gift drive through Target where staff members can purchase toys and gifts online. The junior high also held a door decorating contest to bring some holiday cheer to the students and the building. Santapogue Elementary School held a mitten tree to benefit the local women’s shelter. The school has collected more mittens in different sizes and colors than ever before. John F. Kennedy Elementary School families and staff have purchased toys, games and clothes to help families in need.