The holiday spirit is within every Sashabaw Middle School student, finishing the Lighthouse North Stocking Project.
‘Every year keeps getting better and better,? said Sue Wilson, Language Arts teacher and District Learn and Serve Grant Coordinator for Academic Service Learning.
Students help out in the community while also learning in their classes.
‘It helps kids focus and think realistically,? said Wilson.
Seventh-graders in Global Studies researched statistics about Africa and Oakland County. They used results in posters they created to promote the stocking project.
‘I never knew how many people needed help in our economy,? said Kate Doty. ‘It was interesting, but sad. I have been learning about poverty, malnutrition and famine in Africa. They don’t get enough nutrition in their soup. ?
Seventh-grade health students made soap and the Exploring Engineer class is packaging the soap complete with logo and list of ingredients.
Wilson’s class wrote letters to local businesses explaining the project and collected reusable shopping bags for families to use during their Lighthouse visit.
As of last Friday, Saturn of Clarkston had donated 400 bags, Trader Joe’s, 100, and Target, 50.
Students also donated bags, she said.
Jonah Newblatt not only wrote letters but collected socks during the past few weeks.
‘It’s good to help around the holidays,? he said. ‘Some people can’t afford to buy presents or put food on the table.?
He learned in Global Studies how the economy is a big issue in Oakland County as well as the United States.
‘People are losing their jobs because of car companies,? he added. ‘It was surprising to see how many people in Oakland County can’t afford food.?
The students also collected personal care items along with hair accessories, hats, gloves, socks and school supplies.
Tyler Beckman, another seventh-grader, collected school supplies.
‘For me, it makes me feel good about helping,? he said. ‘I feel like I am helping someone.?
The students also received help from Wojo’s Greenhouse, Key Bank and the SMS PTA. Parents’ donations were used to purchase supplies for soap, home-to-school memo pads supplies made in Computer Applications on recyclable paper, and jump ropes made in Physical Education.
The event started Nov. 20 with a kick-off concert by Breathing Underwater, a Detroit rock band in the ‘Rock 4 Hunger? Tour.
They talked about service learning, helping people, and Gleaners Food Bank, which they help by donating half of their proceeds.
‘They really got the kids going,? said Wilson.
Beckman proudly said he bought a CD for five dollars.
‘It donated three meals to Gleaners,? he said.
Students and teachers collect the last of the items Thursday, with an assembly on Friday to give everything to Connie Stapleton, manager of Lighthouse Emergency Services in Independence Township.
‘I look forward to the assembly every year ? it is just amazing,? said Stapleton. ‘When I go to Sashabaw Middle School you can feel the energy. I know the kids have a lot of energy, but you can feel the giving energy and the generosity is overflowing. It’s a great feeling to go over there and see how the kids have put them together for us.?
Middle schoolers’ help is a bonus every year, she said.
‘If it wasn’t for them we probably wouldn’t be giving out any stockings or stocking stuffers,? said Stapleton.
Lighthouse has close to 900 children receiving assistance this year, a jump from last year’s count of 700.
Lighthouse will stop collecting items for the Stocking Project on Dec. 16. Anything received after next Wednesday will be used for its Birthday Bag project.
‘It’s a perk we started as a way to pass out toys not picked out during the holidays,? said Stapleton.
Lighthouse North Stocking Project helps residents in Clarkston, Independence Township, and Springfield Township, and also residents throughout northern Oakland Township.
Donations are always welcomed at Lighthouse Emergency Services, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are located at 6330 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston.
‘I thank the entire community for helping us throughout the year. Without all the help from the businesses, individuals, organizations and clubs, we couldn’t do what we do,? said Stapleton.