Buying a bag of chips or a soda means more than an afternoon snack for students at Thomas County Central High School.

Here, students are receiving firsthand knowledge about various community causes, as well as their importance, by one single act: purchasing items from the school’s store, known as The Nest.

The Nest, in business for five years, is more than just a place to get snacks, supporters said. The money raised there goes toward supporting the school, its students and important community causes.

“The school store was built with the purpose of providing spirit wear/items and snack items for students and fans with the purpose of raising funds for student clubs and activities, as well as community organizations,” Nick Haskin, Future Business Leaders of America advisor and business teacher at TCCHS, said.

He added, “One of the most important, and rewarding, purposes of the school store is supporting student organizations, community organizations, and community movements.”

One such effort is the significance of this month: September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, or CCAM. The month is a big deal for the school store and its supporters because of its direct relevance to one of the school’s childhood cancer survivors.

“CCA Month has great significance to the school store in the person of Nick Brinson,” Haskin said. “We have partnered with Nick, and the Brinson family, since the beginning of his fight.  It was very important to find a place for Nick in the school store.  He is an invaluable worker and part of our family.  He works hard and is very dependable.”

Nick Brinson was diagnosed in April 2011 with medulloblastoma (brain cancer). Today, Brinson, 16, is a junior at TCCHS. His most recent scan came back clear.

“Nick Haskin and the students in the school store have been wonderful in supporting Nick and our family,” Jennifer Brinson, Nick’s mother, said.

Nick takes classes with Haskin and works in the school store as a seller. When hungry teenagers flood the store between classes and after school, he’s one of the people behind the counter who make sure their sustenance demands are met.

“Students learn invaluable skills as they get a glimpse into the actual running and setup of a business and product design,” Haskin said of the store’s educational functions. “They have to learn the importance of teamwork and leadership. Try serving 50-100 customers in a 10 minute span.  It is a jungle sometimes, but a fun experience always.”

The school store is a non-profit organization, Haskin explained.

“Every dollar that comes into the school store is used to replenish supplies, design new merchandise, or support other organizations,” he said. “It is very important for the students to learn the value of giving back and experience the impact good deeds can have on helping others.”

Examples of what the store has done to support those “other organizations” include: it raised more than $6,000 for the Brinson family by selling "I heart Nick" and "True Victory" shirts; it sponsored special needs campers for Camp Arrow; it sponsored club organizations and individual students for state and national competitions; it teamed with the TCCHS journalism class to create "Coats for Candy" which encourages students to donate cold weather clothing in exchange for gift certificates to spend in the school store; and, it teamed with FBLA club to raise funds for March of Dimes.

Allen Harden, a TCCHS teacher and Camp Arrow board member, said the store has donated several camperships to help youths attend the camp.

The camp, he continued, is for youths with special needs and gives these children “a wonderful opportunity…to experience things they would not normally get to do.” The camp is held in June and includes activities such as swimming and horseback riding.

“The camperships that The Nest provides is a great contribution that helps many special needs children from our community and school system,” Harden said.

Stephen Atkinson, a store manager, is a big supporter of The Nest and how it uses its success to help others. He says, “it’s a store that supports causes for the common good.”

“It is amazing that the store is so involved in the efforts of CCAM and we are able to raise money through specific fundraisers throughout the year,” Atkinson said.

He says it’s important for students to be involved in causes like CCAM, March of Dimes and others the store supports because these foundations “could be helping them or their children one day.”

As for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, another way Brinson’s fellow students have shown their support is by painting an encouraging message about childhood cancer on the store’s windows.

“I thought it was cool,” Brinson said of the message. “I’m happy people are aware about childhood cancer.”

Senior Jordan Barrett, also a store manager who has work leave with Haskin, thinks “it’s great” that the store supports CCAM with acts like the window message.

“It is important for youth to get involved with supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month because it gives the kids in high school and middle school support, knowing their fellow classmates are behind them,” she said. “If I were in the same situation as Nick, I would want my friends and classmates to be behind me.”

Like Barrett, Atkinson said it is important to consider what it would be like in the other person’s shoes.

“Remember that it could have been you in that situation and you would want your friends to support you and your cause, so take charge and be a voice for people who may not have the strength to use their own right now,” he said.

Brinson is glad his classmates are learning about the various ways teenagers can help others within their own community.

“If they help a cause, it can help someone else find a cure,” he said.