MHS was concerned that their annual toy drive would suffer again due to Covid restrictions. However, thanks to the ingenuity of advisor Mrs. Collura, the Toy Drive committee and support from the high school’s principal, Mr. Wilder and assistant principals’ Mrs. Boardman and Mrs. Estep, they were able to execute the classic event. The drive benefitted Head Start, a local “comprehensive early childhood development program primarily serving low-income preschool-age children and their families”, according to the organization’s website.
Similar to the past 30 years, donations were collected from 1st period classes, creating a spirited competition to see who would place in the top four spots to earn the traditional box of Blow Pops. In addition, whoever collected the most donations would be awarded a breakfast for their class prepared by the generous building administration.
With the understanding that Head Start had a no visitor policy, the committee had to pivot and create a new normal. Led by strong chairpeople, Owen Bassett, Cavan Leaney Levenson, Liza Mitchell, and Marley Wells, the MHS Toy Drive committee did a wonderful job of organizing and shopping for items, as well as designing fun-filled stockings. They also delivered and interacted (from the outside) with (92) 3 to 4-year-old students at Head Start. Our videographer, Marley Wells, did a wonderful job capturing the day, telling the story of this year’s toy drive through pictures and a slideshow.
This year’s Toy Drive winner was the PE class taught by Coach Jasper and Coach Woudenberg with a total of $520.82!! Overall, all the classes in the school donated a grand total of $1580.24!