Liberty's student council raises money for the community

By Bella Howard

It’s important to raise money for these charities during this time of the year because not only people but also animals aren’t as lucky as we are and are less fortunate to have the funds to buy luxury items such as toys and clothes. Raising this money creates the ability to make a change and give back to our community and those who are less fortunate. 

As we approach the holiday season, Liberty’s student council is hosting a large array of events and fundraising opportunities for the less fortunate in our community. There will be a number of events held from Halloween week to the week before winter break, inclding continuous donation boxes placed at the entrance of the school.

This year, student council is spotlighting four charities, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Humane Society, and Marian House Soup Kitchen.  

Morgan Anliker, student council sponsor and English teacher, explained that these charities are “the local Colorado Springs branches of these organizations, so all the proceeds will be helping people and animals in our local community.” 

Some of the biggest of these upcoming events include the county cook off on Nov.12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Here, students will “come and try different staff members chili, mac and cheese, and fall themed desserts,” according to Anliker. There will then be a winner crowned and donations will be collected to be given to the Marian House. 

The staff versus student dodgeball competition will take place on Nov. 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. If you would like to participate, permission slips for formed teams will be accepted until Nov. 4, and if not the entry fee is $5 and will also go to the Marian House. 

Further out, on Dec. 11 a “Grinch cookie decorating station” while the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is playing, will be held to raise money for Toys for Tots. The admission for this event will also be $5. 

In addition to these events, student council has placed boxes outside the front doors to collect items for charity. Junior student council member, Conner outlined how students will be able to “donate materials needed based on the charity [student council is] focusing on for that month. Items needed are clothes, new or hardly used toys, dog beds, canned foods, etc,” depending on the charity for the given month. Currently, the organizations being donated too are the Salvation Army and the Humane Society. 

Senior student council member, Dayna Smith, added “How a little goes a long way there’s no minimum or limit to how much you can contribute!” These events are both fun for the students to participate in but also the “help is so appreciated and so important during this time when we are given the opportunity to make a difference in our own community. Our season of giving is a time to be thankful and appreciative for what we have and to give to those who are less fortunate.”

The holiday season is a time for giving especially because “families across our community are getting the help they need through the holidays and the difficult season because of the impact Liberty makes by donating,” Smith added. Liberty students should keep these donation opportunities in mind these next few months and student council is looking forward to seeing students at these events for a good cause.