At Harper, we believe it is important for students to understand their role in the larger community around us. Our Community Service Committee is dedicated to making community service an aspect of our children’s educational experience. We want to partner with our youth and the community, emphasizing the value of giving back. We do this by cultivating relationships and providing service opportunities with local organizations, such as Connections for the Homeless and Housing Opportunities for Women.
Both Connections and HOW are nonprofit organizations working to help families and individuals that are homeless or threatened with homelessness break the cycle of poverty by providing affordable, supportive housing as well as individual support services needed for success and self sufficiency. These organizations believe that communities that house and empower all their members are stronger, more sustainable, and better places for everyone to live. For more information please visit: http://www.cfthinc.org and http://www.howinc.org.
Below are the drives and event that we will do – please look in the Harper Happenings for information and volunteer opportunities closer to the dates!
Halloween Candy Drive: Leftover Halloween candy is used to motivate and reward Connections clients’ participation in counseling and support services.
Thanksgiving Food Drive: Each grade brings in components of Thanksgiving dinner, which are packaged for newly-housed families.
Kindergarten: cornbread/Bisquick
1st grade: boxed stuffing
2nd grade: canned vegetables
3rd grade: gravy/broth/soup
4th grade: bottle of juice
Winter Gear Drive: Used hats, socks, mittens, scarves (children’s or adults)
Kid’s PJ Drive: Unused kids’ pjs (sizes allocated per grade, e.g. 1st graders bring size 7, 2nd graders size 8…)
Welcome Kit Toiletry Drive: Household-sized toiletries (such as shampoo deodorant & razors) will be collected for clients to use during a three-month stay at the men’s shelter.
Fun Fair Donation Event (Spring TBA)
Thank you for your generosity and support!