Midwest Central embraces the spirit of giving

[December 06, 2013]  MANITO — Midwest Central District No. 191 truly knows the meaning of the season. With so many in need within their own community and the surrounding areas, administrators, teachers, staff and students are coming together to help in many ways.

With the recent storm damage from Pekin and continuing north, Midwest Central schools have each come up with their own unique ways to help out.

Midwest Central Primary School hosted a hat day to raise money for those affected by the recent storms. Students and staff were allowed to wear a hat to school in exchange for a $1 donation. Together, they collected $673.52 in donations, all going to the disaster relief fund.

At Midwest Central Middle School, the student council chose to have a drive to collect needed items: household items, clothing, hygiene products and more. Also, money from a fundraiser went to Washington-area residents.

The Midwest Central High School FFA organization also joined the cleanup efforts. The group traveled to Benson and assisted with clearing debris from fields.

Along with assisting people affected by storms, the district is coming together to once again assist with the Snow Buddies program. Snow Buddies works with interested parents in need. Parents fill out a form with clothing size information for all children in their immediate family. That information is then passed along to volunteers who either shop for them or make a monetary donation for the shopping to be done by someone else. Also donations of clothing, toys and numerous gifts are accepted that are then divided among the children. Once the gifts are bought, they can be dropped off at the primary school anytime on or before Dec. 13 so that parents can pick them up.

The Midwest Central High School National Honor Society is joining in this effort. This week they are sponsoring a drive for new socks to support the Snow Buddies program. New socks for infants through to adult size can be donated at collection bins in the school.

Midwest Central District 191 administrators, staff, faculty and students all have worked hard to give to those in need close and afar.

"This district amazes me with their continued giving spirit all year long, but they have gone above and beyond even their normal level these past few weeks," said Superintendent Todd Hellrigel.

Anyone interested in assisting with the Snow Buddies programs may contact Rashelle Cupi, coordinator, at [e-mail]. For more information, find Midwest Central on Facebook or online at www.midwestcentral.org.

[Text from file received from Midwest Central School District 191]