Story by student reporter Jacob Cobb
Thomas County schools recently came together in order to do something greater than them.
Thomas County Central High School Service Learning Coordinator Stanley McLeod approached the Thomas County Board of Education with a proposal: to run a drive that would help gather supplies for Hurricane Harvey’s Texas victims.
After the school was given the OK to conduct the drive, the board decided it’d be best to split up the work, McLeod said, and thus gave each school in the system two items to collect and a start date, Aug. 30. Specifically for TCCHS, these items were deodorant and baby formula.
“We had more than 100 students that brought in items along with several teachers and staff members,” McLeod said.
The drive went “astoundingly,” according to McLeod, with an estimated 250 pounds collected from TCCHS alone. Even though there was no specific goal in mind, he is beyond impressed with the end result.
“Students, staff and teachers were asked to bring in their items to the large conference room as a central collection [site],” McLeod said. “At the end of the drive, the board office sent a large truck to each of the schools for pick up.”
Students like sophomore Langley Wooten were very enthused to contribute.
“I like to do everything I can to help people and this was a perfect way to do it,” Wooten said. “Even a bottle of deodorant can make a difference.”
When asked about the importance of the drive for the high school itself, McLeod said it allowed students to “participate in something bigger than them.”
“I think that a lot of our students were blessed by giving to people in great need,” he said. “We never know when we may be the ones needing someone else to donate on our behalf.”
The drive came to a close Sept. 8 and everyone, even those who donated, walked away with something of value. Those in need received necessary daily life items and those who donated earned the good feeling that comes with knowing they did something to help others.
“It makes me feel reassured that there are good people in the world that will help, even if they are 600 miles away,” Wooten said.