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Seeing the kindness brought out in people throughout our community is truly something special as the whole community comes together to raise money for local people to have a special holiday.

One of Kaelei Whitlatch’s favorite memories from volunteering to ring the bell for the Salvation Army is when a woman approached her and gave her a $200 check and said she wanted to make “a full on commitment to the Salvation Army.”

Every year, Mrs. Jenna Hixson gets information from the Salvation Army, and when she was being trained on the Google Classroom program this fall, she thought about making a google document signup sheet for the lady in charge of scheduling people to ring the bell.

Mrs. Hixson didn’t expect to be in charge of getting people to volunteer, but it wasn’t hard to get her students involved, and that wasn’t a shock to Mrs. Hixson.

“All I have to do is ask and our students jump to get involved and become the best volunteers for the Salvation Army,” said Mrs. Hixson. “It doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

It’s very heartwarming for Hixson and her students to be a part of this amazing cause that goes to local families.

“It makes me feel amazing because I know the money is going to local families and maybe even our own student’s families,” said Mrs. Hixson.

Because of one of our own teachers and some of our students, the Salvation Army raised enough money to give 25 local families Christmas dinner.

“Those memories are more important than any gift,” said Mrs. Hixson.

Although many students love ringing the bell for Salvation Army, not everyone that volunteered knew what the money was going to, but still enjoyed doing it.

Sophomore Kaelei Whitlatch, has always wanted to volunteer and help the community out. As soon as she heard Mrs. Hixson talking about ringing the bell she immediately went to Hixson asking her how she could get involved.

Whitlatch loves making people happy and it means a lot to her.

“I feel it’s better to give than receive,” said Whitlatch, “especially around the holidays.”

Alli Sherbondy got involved when she got the email from Mrs. Hixson and she wanted to volunteer to give back to the community and help those in need around the holiday season.

“I wanted to volunteer because it’s nice to give back to others when the community does a lot for you,” said Sherbondy, “to me it means a lot to help others around the holiday season to spread more happiness and kindness.”

Junior Abbie Kubasky got involved when Mrs. Hixson had a last minute cancellation. Kubasky’s favorite memory from ringing the bell was when a woman approached her and thanked her for collecting money for the Salvation Army because that’s what helped her receive a winter coat.

“That warmed my heart,” said Kubasky.
Kubasky enjoys collecting money for such a special cause and spending time with fellow classmates while doing it.

“I am grateful for everything that has ever been given to me and I feel I should give back to the community and take time out of my schedule to do so,” said Kubasky.

Maegan Shetterly got involved with the Salvation Army through her class with Mrs. Hixson.

“She gives us so many opportunities as students,” said Shetterly. “She has such an amazing heart and would do anything for anyone.”

Shetterly loves giving back to the community and seeing the good brought out in people “even if it is little things like putting a dollar in a bucket.”

“It means a lot helping people who I know are in need, it’s a reminder of how blessed I am,” said Shetterly. “It shows me how many great things that we can conquer if we come together as a community.

Through the kindness of Mrs. Hixson and the Southmoreland high school students, there has been over a thousand dollars raised to go to families in need throughout our community.