Giving spirit found at JHS

Johnston High School faculty, staff, and student groups recently united to ensure that the holidays were happy for those in need.

According to Debbie Licciardi, chairperson of the school’s Guidance Department, each of the school’s departments raised money through donations from teachers to purchase gift cards for families of students who needed them most. Co-advisors from the junior class also held a dress down day to raise funds for the endeavor, and collected over $200.

Each department, along with the administration, adopted a family to support. Approximately $1,100 was collected schoolwide, and all told 25 students and families received gifts to help supplement their Christmas. Each family was provided gift cards to major retailers and supermarkets.

Families were chosen based on referrals from counselors, administration, social workers, teachers, and school psychologist recommendations.

The school’s World Cultures Organization club also worked with Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, a non profit whose mission is empower individuals and families, especially immigrants, refugees, and the underserved, to become self-sufficient and fully participating members of the community through programs that promote education, training, and cultural understanding.

The WCO solicited gifts for youths under the age of 20, and set up a Christmas tree at the school with tag ornaments for those who passed by to take. Each tag identified a gift that was needed, and approximately 45 gifts, including toys, gift cards and clothing with a total value of over $800, were collected through the group’s efforts.

According to Timothy Sprouls, the school’s Math Department Chair and advisor to the WCO club, the outstanding efforts of the group’s members helped build appreciation for cultural diversity and went a long way towards providing for those who need to find a job, a place to live, and have nothing.