Grant Career Center Student Advisory Council leads fund-raising efforts

In response to the great need felt by families during the winter holiday season, Grant Career Center’s Student Advisory Council led the charge to raise money to provide meals and necessities during the holidays for families at the Career Center.

The students volunteered to coordinate the school’s efforts to raise money as well as to shop for groceries and gifts, sort food drive contributions and wrap and distribute all the items to the Grant Career Center families in need.

Student Advisory Council members set goals for the students and staff and watched as the money began flowing in. Each career and technical program pledged to raise money and to help achieve the goal. The methods were as varied as the programs themselves.

Carpenters could be seen framing a mirror to raffle, automotive technicians were offering specials on oil changes, alignments and tire rotations. The Teacher Academy students offered green apple lollipops, and the Horticulture students sold flowers by the dozen! The Auto Collision students detailed cars and applied striping to vehicles with all proceeds donated to the holiday fund while the Allied health Science students hosted an evening at the local Skyline restaurant.

Other raffles abounded as students received donations from area businesses and parents. VIP parking spots, baskets of hair supplies, and free lunches all drew ticket buyers to try their luck. Cosmetology students and past graduates hosted a Cut-a-Thon and cut and styled hair for cash or canned food donations. They also hosted a Bake Sale during the Cut-a-thon that offered delicious treats all day long. This amazing group of young ladies raised a total of $1,247.70 and brought in 1,371 cans. It was a monumental effort that involved great planning, sacrificing and a very big heart.

Some classes simply collected money from its students for the privilege of wearing street clothes rather than their uniforms, listening to music while they work, and taking special breaks. The staff also helped out with a special dress down days with the proceeds to benefit the cause.

Students participated in a Penny War, collecting pennies and change that was earmarked for holiday perishable food. Altogether, staff and students have raised a total of $ 5,768.81 to this point.

The students also held a food drive throughout November to provide food baskets to the families in need. The students responded with a total of 3055 food items that went to approximately 45 families at the Career Center.

A special thank you is extended to all area businesses, parents and friends who participated in this fund-raising endeavor. The help was greatly appreciated by those families who struggled with extra needs this winter holiday season.