Squalicum leadership students Bring Joy this winter season

Squalicum leadership students devoted time before Thanksgiving to sharing love and care with their community, bringing joy to students and families at Birchwood and Northern Heights elementary schools through their annual Bring Joy to a Child service project.

Through fundraising and donations, leadership students shopped for, packaged and delivered items like clothes, shoes, bedding, hygiene supplies, crafts and gift cards to the two elementary, supporting more than 50 students in need.

Student leaders reflected that the project was both enjoyable and a growth opportunity for them as they fundraised, budgeted and planned.  

“It’s not as easy as it seems to shop for someone else,” students Faith Pham and Jake Zamudio shared. “It takes a lot of critical thinking to figure out what to buy based on budget, needs and personality.”

One Bellingham Promise outcome for students is to develop students and graduates who are well-rounded community members engaged with the broader world, and students felt this project matched that outcome well.

“We are caring for other members of our community without even knowing who they are,” the students said.

Birchwood and Northern Heights staff appreciated the connection to the high school leadership program and the partnership to support families.

SQHS leadership teacher Jason Bergman thanked all the students, staff and families who helped make the service project a success again this year. The students fundraised more than $5,000 for the project.