Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School got into the Christmas spirit by promoting generosity with the 12 Days of Giving. Staff and students spent the last two weeks of school collecting canned goods to holiday cards to contribute to area organizations, including the Salineville Food Pantry and Columbiana County Dog Pound. Pictured, from left are SLHS Principal Jess Krulik, educator Mikie Peters and SLJHS Principal Jordan Wrask with a few of the items that were donated. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School celebrated the spirit of generosity through the “12 Days of Giving” program to benefit the community.

Principal Jess Krulik said staff and students have been contributing to collections throughout the month leading up to the holiday break with a different campaign each week. Krulik and educator Mikie Peters coordinated efforts with SLHS National Honor Society advisor Bob Shansky, and the staff was directed to bring towels and blankets, diapers and dog or cat treats, and hygiene items and sponges while students donated Christmas cards, toys, and canned goods to support local families, animal shelters, and nursing homes. The NHS oversaw collections each morning in the homeroom classes while Peters handled drop-offs with the community agencies. Among the recipients are the Columbiana County Dog Pound, the county Humane Society, Angels for Animals, and the Southern Community Center of Salineville Food Pantry.

“We’ve had the students and staff bring items to donate to different places in the community. On Dec. 4 and 5, we collected 1,000 towels and blankets and students brought in holiday cards that were sent to local retirement homes and assisted living facilities,” Krulik added.

“We were able to collect enough cards to take to six different nursing homes, two of which we visited with six members of student council,” Peters interjected. She said the student council members included Kalayah Crute, Katie Kellogg, Madilyn Tsesmilles, Natalia Lopez, Delaney Beadnell, and Chloe Phillips.

On Dec. 8-12, the school gathered dog and cat treats and toys and wrapped up the holiday campaign on Dec. 15-19 with the hygiene products and food items, including canned corn, green beans, and peas to stuffing and noodles.

“We sent multiple boxes filled with treats, food, blankets, and dog toys to the three local animal shelters and the community center got multiple boxes filled with hygiene Items, canned goods/Christmas dinner items, blankets, and toys,” Peters noted.

Additionally, staff members and students alike got ready for Christmas with some fun, festive events.

“Each day for the staff we utilized Nutrition, Inc. [food service] for treats and had dress-up days. We’ve also had dress-up days for students to get into the holiday spirit,” Krulik said.

Staff members also were treated to donuts, a baked potato bar, and hot cocoa, among others, plus they got to wear comfortable clothes, crazy Christmas sweaters, hats and pajamas and enjoyed coupon and gift card raffles. Finally, they closed with a staff luncheon on the last day of school before break.

School officials said they hoped to continue the “12 Days of Giving” activity each year.

Public donations were also accepted while students delivered items to their homerooms, and officials said every donation would help brighten the season for families in the community. Meanwhile, people with information about a local family in need with a student at Southern Local, Utica Shale Academy or Indian Academy were also directed to contact the Salineville Food Pantry at 330-853-7777.