Members of Saint Peter High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society spent part of their Thursday morning filling up drawstring bags with some essential winter items to share with those in need in the St. Peter community. The students also hand wrote holiday messages in cards for those receiving the bags.
SPHS NHS Advisor Regina Sirianni commended those students helping out Thursday morning for their efforts in helping out during a time where there is a great need.
“Our NHS leadership team, Keira Dunn, Mackenzie Moline, Ximena Olivares, and Riley Rubischko, saw a need to help individuals experiencing homelessness in our community and decided that would be our fall NHS project,” Sirianni said. “Our NHS chapter raised over $1,000 through selling bracelets, hosting a Penny War competition, and through financial contributions from local businesses.
“They were able to make more than 100 individual bags that include a water bottle, a hat, mittens, socks, personal hygiene products, first aid products, a few snacks and a card from an NHS member. These will be distributed to local shelters including Union Street Place in St. Peter, Theresa House, Welcome Inn, The Salvation Army, and the Reach.”
SPHS NHS members Keira Dunn and Mackenzie Moline, who were involved in organizing this activity, shared their thoughts on the experience below:
“I brought this idea up to Ms. Sirianni and the rest of the leadership team in early September, and they instantly saw my vision and we got to work right away,” Dunn said. “This project quickly became something we were all very passionate about. I just want to say a big thank you to Ms. Sirianni, our NHS leadership team, and to everyone who was generous enough to give their support! We're hoping that this project will set a new precedent for Saint Peter High School's chapter of the National Honor Society. We hope to see this care kit project continue to expand and grow in the future once we have moved on.”
“Overall this has been a rewarding experience in many ways,” Moline said. “From the fundraising to working with our whole chapter to assemble care kits. We are all so thankful to the people who have supported us throughout this project and we are so grateful to be able to spread love to our community”
Special thanks to those businesses/individuals that donated items for this activity including Berger Interiors, Hometown Bank, Dunkin', Heidi Baker Insurance, Brenda McHugh, Nutter Clothing, McDonald's, First National Bank, and St. Peter Eyecare Center.
(PICTURED ABOVE) SPHS NHS members helping out with filling up the drawstring bags with essential items for those in need and writing out cards included: front row (l to r), Emmy Remmert, Riley Rubischko, Alexis Gonzales Boettcher, Kailyn Embacher, Liana Snow, Mackenzie Moline, Keira Dunn, Grace Tollefson, Iris Elias; second row, Charlie Buesgens, Natalie Nourie, Annika Southworth, Rachel Salfer, Hannah Denzer, Rylee Stadick, Laura Klatt, Ella Engrstand, Trista Landsom, Addison Landsom, Lola Pell, Ximena Olivares; third row, Isam Ibrahim, Sam Moelter, Tate Olson, Alex Matarrese, Abby Maloney, Nora Whipps, Rhyan Holmgren, Olivia Hollerich, Taylor Sickler, Cecily Winterfeldt, Sophia Ruffing, Callie Voeltz, Isabelle Mish, Karli Miller; fourth row, Bryan Kucacka, Tobias Twait, Allan Eberhart, Ryan Domras, Tate Yeager, Noah Kracht, Anthony Nicolai, Quinn Dixon, Luke Gilbertson, Oscar Martinez, Matthew Otterness, Eli Stoll, Roy Hendrickson, and Callum Harmes.