The holidays are filled with magical memories and family traditions that are treasured and passed down for years to come. However, many families around the world and within Grayslake do not have the funds to make meals during the holiday season. This sad truth, unfortunately, overshadows this joyous time of the year.

English teacher and NHS sponsor, Jeff Barry, shared how crucial it is to volunteer during the holiday season, “It’s about creating a community that we can feel proud of and be glad to be a part of…We all have these formative memories of [holiday] events [that are] important or have these family traditions. I think allowing other people to be able to celebrate during this time of year when most of us are able to celebrate is important.” 

“I think it’s so important to show kids of all ages that there’s more to life than their own little world. Anything that you could do to help somebody whether it’s helping somebody whose bag busted open in the hallway, shoveling your neighbor’s driveway, or raking leaves. It gives us a sense of community and teaches us that there’s more to life than just our own kind of little niche,” math teacher and student council sponsor, Lauren Brownstone, said on how volunteering can affect students here at GCHS. “I think every student who gets involved, in particular with this food drive, realizes how much good they can do just by volunteering a few hours of their time.” 

GCHS student council’s food drive has gone strong for the past 30 years by handing out food to families within the community. Brownstone talked about how amazing it was hearing from families that have gotten meals from the GCHS food drive, “the woman was crying [asking] is this all for me? I never got to see that piece of it. I think it’s so important. It reminds us why we do it,” Brownstone explains how a family within the community contacted her full of gratitude for the meals dropped off at their front door.  

Along with the student council’s food drive, NHS volunteered for Grayslake’s annual tree-lighting on Center Street November 25th by dressing up in holiday costumes for the families, “They are creating all of these positive experiences for the kids and for the families. It just makes the community a more desirable place to [live in].” 

There are many opportunities for students and staff members to get involved this holiday season. Brownstone mentions the PSP’s annual Santa drive for the community but also making donations, whether it be with money or time to organizations that truly benefit many families during the holidays.

The time and energy spent on helping those in need not only looks good on a college application, it also fills someone’s heart and home with faith and happiness. Many helping hand reaching out to make lives much easier shows the true holiday spirit.