School Community Gives Back

School Community Gives Back
Posted on 12/11/2020
During a season of giving, our staff and school community are demonstrating their compassion and desire to help others. Montclair Soccer had a historically successful season this fall. Both the MHS girls and boys teams won State Championships with undefeated records. Especially in this difficult year, these teams know that their success has its roots in the support of the Montclair community as a whole. As a way to celebrate this success and support this amazing community, both teams have joined together to open this Championship Store. The store will be open through Dec. 13. All team proceeds will be donated to Toni’s Kitchen to support the amazing work they are doing for so many of our neighbors. To find out more, or to donate directly, go to toniskitchen.org.

t shirts

On Dec. 6, the Montclair Education Association held its annual Wrap & Roll "Thru." Volunteers were on hand at the Montclair High School Annex to collect donated gifts and distribute them to families in need. "There is no question that the 2020 holiday season is unique and deserving of a little extra cheer and spirit. The Montclair Education Association was determined to bring joy and continue one of its annual traditions. Although this year's Wrap & Roll did not resemble those in the past, social distancing would not put a damper on the holiday merriment,” said MEA Communications Chair Candice Pastor. “Volunteers donated over 150 gifts and the community showed up to contribute gifts for our local families. We want to thank all of our volunteers, the MEA Building Reps, and the Student Assistance Counselors who did extraordinary work in making this event such a success. Finally, the MEA wants to thank the support provided by a grant from the New Jersey Education Association's PRIDE in Public Education and Families and Schools Together (FAST) programs.”

donation sign car line donations

sorting gifts gift pickup

snowmen signs sorting through gifts

Jack Pitts, a third grader at Charles H. Bullock, recently completed his second annual neighborhood coat drive ("Thanks and Giving") benefiting Toni's Kitchen. It was a huge success! His sister, Jayla, a second grader at Bullock, also helped, as well his youngest sister, Julianna, who is 3 years old. The kids delivered fliers throughout their neighborhood asking for support in their mission "to keep everyone warm this winter.” Since the Friday after Thanksgiving, Jack and his sisters have been sorting/organizing the generous donations and on Wednesday, December 16, Jack dropped them off to the delight of the Toni's Kitchen staff. He learned that his donation of blankets would be put to immediate use as officers from the Montclair Police Department often stop by Toni's Kitchen to request warm items for those who are homeless. The coats and other winter accessories will be available to those in need.

students collect coats  student coat drive

student collects coats  student collects coats

Buzz Aldrin held its annual Thanksgiving drive last month. With this year’s need even greater due to the pandemic, Buzz house leaders, teachers and the PTA collaborated to collect food and create baskets for families in need. Read more.

Hillside Elementary School also held its annual Coat Drive, organized by the Hillside PTA. Exceeding an original goal of 125 coats, 159 coats were collected and donated to Jersey Cares for distribution to men, women, children, and infants in need throughout New Jersey.

Annika Aristimuno, a junior at Montclair High School has found a unique way to occupy her time while in quarantine. She and her friend Layla Hurwitz, a fellow junior at Montclair High, started an organization to help combat loneliness within elders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The duo collect letters and artwork and deliver them to local nursing homes. They organized fellow Montclair teens to write letters to the residents that included artwork, poems and personal notes. Read more.
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