Published December 16. 2020 01:45PM
For a number of past holidays, the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club organized shopping for clothing for students in need in the Jim Thorpe Area School District. All siblings in a family were included.
This year, however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, their shopping partners, CCTI marketing students, weren’t available, nor were their wrapping partners from the Jim Thorpe Area High School National Honor Society.
Undaunted though, the members reinvented the project.
One member suggested that the club buy gift cards to provide the needed clothing.
As was done in the past, a former club member worked with the guidance counselors at the Jim Thorpe schools as well as with Head Start to determine who would be the recipients. A total of 148 students and siblings from 63 families were identified, a nearly 40 percent increase over past years.
As a result, more individuals from more families were helped in a safer as well as more affordable way for all concerned.
Vice Principal Jeff White, Former Jim Thorpe Rotary President Bob Stevenson, Former Jim Thorpe Rotary President Bill Allison, School Counselor Contact Jeanette Richards, Counselor Jodi Damian, Counselor Ashley Rully stand in L.B. Morris Elementary School in Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe Rotary Club members purchased gift cards to help those in need this holiday season. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO