Lending Hands toy drive

The WJ Lending Hands Club led by sophomores Summer de Jesus, Nina Lichter, Leah Krensky and Grace Higgins, held a toy drive that lasted for two weeks. From Nov. 18 to Dec. 3, a festively decorated box sat outside the main office for anyone to drop off unwrapped toys, crafts, books and games to be donated to The Children’s Inn at NIH.

Every year, The Children’s Inn houses the Holiday Gingerbread Gift Shop where children dealing with serious illnesses, such as cancer, are given the opportunity to pick out gifts. 

“[The drive] gives toys to sick kids and we just decided we wanted to do something for the holidays,” Higgins said. “We did it with the hospital that we could and we put the box out and fliers around. A lot of people donated.”

At the drive’s conclusion, over 50 gifts were dropped off at NIH, proving the effort to be successful. In the future, Lending Hands hopes to host more fundraisers to raise money and donate it to other organizations. 

Relay for Life bracelet kits 

The Relay for Life Club at WJ led a bracelet kit-making activity to donate to The National Children’s Hospital and children going through chemotherapy. The activity was held on Dec. 3; however, the club works year-round to raise money for The American Cancer Society.

Relay for Life is headed by sophomores Sydney Walsh, Piper Lyon, Chloe Russ, Ella Martinez and Sofia Turnacioglu. On Dec. 3, an estimated count of 85 bracelet kits were made and the club hopes to make a total of 100 for donation. 

“We wanted to make their lives more fun and interesting and also let them know that there is support for them in our community,” Martinez said. 

As for the future, the club hopes to do a race event at the end of the year where people can pay to participate and the proceeds will be donated to the fight against cancer. 

“Most people know someone who is affected by cancer so we want to rally a lot of support for the end-of-the-year event,” Martinez said.

Smiles for All gift drive to NIH Children’s Inn

Four friends at lunch one day last year decided they wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives. The Smiles for All Club is run by club president Audrey Smith, vice president Jasmine Starzyk and others who share leadership positions. This club was created because of their passion for working with children from the NIH Children’s Inn providing a positive impact on kids’ lives even if it means a small gift or craft. The NIH Children’s Inn helps aid less fortunate kids and families with free housing.  

Most recently the club held a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen. 

“We are going to use the money from that drive to purchase toys and items from the Inn’s wishlist to drop off for Christmas,” Smith said. 

So far this year the club has done one other gift drop-off, but in addition to the upcoming Christmas drop, they plan to do many more.

During school hours, the club meets every week on Wednesdays in room 192, creating hand-made crafts that are given to kids at the Inn. Activities done at the meetings range from small gifts to crafts.

“We make a lot of friendship bracelets and holiday themed gifts,” Starzyk said. “We’ve made Christmas ornaments and Halloween boo baskets with candy and other small crafts inside. We also make a lot of cards and word searches and stuff like that for the kids to do.” 

Small Things Matter coat drive

The Small Things Matter Club, a Rockville-based non-profit, is driven by the simple belief that small acts of kindness can make a big impact. This initiative led by students at WJ supports Maryland families through their drives and programs like food distribution, literacy promotion and crafting for charity. 

Every Thanksgiving, Small Things Matter (STM) hosts its annual coat drive, which gives the gift of warmth and comfort to those in need. During this drive, coats and essential food items are distributed at the STM Pantry, ensuring that those struggling are protected and nourished throughout the colder months. 

“This coat drive is about more than just providing warmth–it’s about showing those families that they’re not alone,” senior co-president Mallory Booth said. “Something as simple as a coat can change someone’s whole winter.”

Small Things Matter drives the community to donate new or used coats to support their communities. With the help of everyone donating, they can continue to spread compassion through small acts of kindness across Montgomery County and ensure that no one is left out in the cold. 

Leveling the Playing Field equipment drive

Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is once again doing its winter donation drive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate in youth sports. This year, LPF’s donation drive will run from Dec. 5 through Dec. 14. The WJ club is calling upon the community to level the playing field with them by donating used and new sports equipment, which will be redistributed to different schools and community programs in areas of need. 

Since LPF was founded, the organization has donated over $15 million worth of sports equipment to more than 2,000 schools around the US. Simple efforts like putting some old sports equipment in a donation bin near you can help make a big difference in making sports accessible to all. 

“I think that sports can help teach valuable life skills to kids,” club member, junior Jack Patapis said. “I play football and lacrosse and being able to play these sports has made me friends, and I want to share this gift to less privileged kids.”

Please feel free to drop off used or new sports equipment by the wrestling room at the Athletic Loop on Dec. 14 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

During the winter holidays, clubs across WJ continue to give back to the community through events and activities. From a small handmade craft to money donations every little bit can brighten someone’s holiday.

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