Imagine being a student who needs to rent a gym uniform because her family has to wait until payday to buy detergent and go to the laundry mat or a student who could not find her gym uniform because she had so many relatives living with her and didn't even have her own hairbrush. Unfortunately, these are scenarios that are all too common and have recently occurred at Sandburg High School.
Fortunately, thanks in part to a $5000 teacher grant from the District 230 Foundation, what started as a few care packages for students in need of essentials has blossomed into the Sandburg High School Eagle Relief project.
With this grant, students in need receive everyday necessities they may be unable to secure at home. The grant provided funds to purchase bags, t-shirts, feminine product kits, and laundry detergent sheets. In addition, grant recipients Physical Education teacher Janine Wilkins and Director of Guidance Krystin Koss converted the girls' PE office to look like a store, with hopes that Ultima and Special Education students can begin in-school job training to manage the store, helping with inventory, stocking shelves, and creating bags for students in need.
The spark for the Eagle Relief project began a few years ago as a service project with female PE Junior Leaders who donated hygiene projects and created packages that were delivered to deans, nurses, counseling, and Special Service offices.
The idea has expanded to include helping any needy student - not just girls - and plans to include special occasion assistance, such as providing prom dresses and interview clothes to either have or borrow. Kits have also been distributed to homeless students and families that have moved from war-torn countries.
The Eagle Relief project goes well beyond providing a few necessities. It builds confidence for students receiving these items, helps take away stress and anxiety for students worrying if and when their family will be able to purchase these items and builds empathy and compassion for the students donating and creating these bags.
Eagle Relief co-creator Janine Wilkins said, “This project has already impacted the lives of so many students. Just being able to give a bag of toiletries and detergent to our student provided comfort for her so she did not have to wait, wear dirty clothes, and possibly have items they could not afford for her and her family.”
Junior Leaders and PEOPEL Tutors have been very generous with donations, and soccer, girls tennis, and softball have donated extra t-shirts so students have school spirit wear. The plan is to eventually open up donations to clubs at Sandburg and one day hope to find a spot somewhere in the building that will be easily accessible for all students.