McCutcheon teams win Celebration of Service honors; donation event to be held
LAFAYETTE, Ind. − Earlier this month, two local teams won gold banners during the Celebration of Service district competition.
This Saturday, McCutcheon High School Students involved with Students in Action will be hosting a donation drive for local food banks and shelters.
SIA, a community-based club that aims to improve the world around them, will be hosting the first Threading Lafayette event, where food, hygiene products and clothes will be collected to give to local nonprofits.
Background on SIA's community work: Celebration of Service competition
McCutcheon High School students, in the district competition, highlighted their efforts in operating MavThreads, a donation closet for students in need, according to a release.
"During the presentation, the students explain how they decided to do the project, how they implemented it, what they learned, how they overcame challenges, the impact made, and what they hope to accomplish in the future," the release stated.
According to the release, over 300 students made use of the free closet with more always coming in. The team also held bake sales and other fundraisers to help raise over $3,000 for local nonprofits.
This team also won overall top presentation, best oral presentation and their advisor, Ebony Gilbert, was named advisor of the year.
“It is absolutely beautiful and moving,” Gilbert said in the release. “Seeing how passionate our young people are about making a difference is such a positive experience.”
In June, several McCutcheon students will travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Youth Summit at Howard University. There, they will be able to network with other national SIA teams and participate in community service.
Wea Ridge Middle School’s SIA team also won a gold banner and the titles for most creative project and most meaningful reflection for their donation drive, Unleash Your Superpower, for the Almost Home Humane Society.
Threading Lafayette, where, when and why
Threading Lafayette will have games, activities, food and more for families as well. Face painting, glitter tattoos, outdoor games, performances from the McCutcheon Encore Choir, Kona Ice, Tom's Coffee, Crabby Mike's and more will be available to guests.
"The purpose is to expand the mission and vision of MavThreads into the community by supporting those who are in need of basic things and eliminating some of the stigmas around being a person in need," Gilbert told the Journal & Courier. "That has been a major focus since our team started MavThreads, as they aim to help students not feel embarrassed or ashamed when they have basic needs. With Threading Lafayette, we are hoping to have more presence in the community to highlight the importance of this and how all of us can come together to support not just MavThreads, but other local agencies in our community who are seeking to help meet the needs of others."
Necessities such as toiletry products, clothes, shoes, period products, canned food, pasta, school supplies and more will be welcomed donations.
Threading Lafayette will take place Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the Columbian Park Amphitheater. Admission to this event is free.
Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: SIA members will continue giving back to the community with Threading Lafayette
