In the next few weeks there will be an annual drive for those in need this holiday season here at Sentinel. The last few years, very little awareness was brought to this drive, and many people didn’t know about it. This is really unfortunate considering the good and sheer amount of giving that is made possible with this drive.
This isn’t a drive with one source of income nor does it have one name. Many programs here contribute to helping this cause.
This has been something Sentinel has done for over a decade and it is nothing short of a whole school effort. This drive isn’t like a lot of others you see where there is an effort to put wrapped presents under a tree, but rather goes for some more realistic needs of families during the holiday season.

This drive will focus on, of course, the usual holiday spirit with some much needed and appreciated gifts, but also necessities like warm clothes, grocery assistance, or even phone data cards.
Many people at Sentinel work to get all these amazing resources to those who need it. Student government usually sponsors an unhoused family alongside their winter jacket drive while selling tickets for fireside. NHS contributes with some of their sales from their poinsettia selling as well. Booster Club is known to make a generous donation, and so does BPA with the coffee cart. Other teachers like Ben Cummins also encourage donations inside the classroom with things like penny wars.
When it comes to elementary and even middle schools, there is much more foot traffic by parents and guardians who are willing to help those in need, but when we move to high school there is a new sense of self efficiency. This then puts more responsibility on the students here who have warmth in their heart to share with others. And our spartans do not fail in filling this gap with what they can and working hard to make sure that students and family connected to Sentinel are able to feel the joy everyone deserves around the holiday season.
Because of these differences there is a need for more donations. Michelle Manning does her best to set up a giving tree in the library for people to pick up an ornament labeled with a need for a student, like a belt, socks, phone card, or groceries.
Though this proves effective for lower grade schools with parents who are willing to pick up an ornament while at an event, it becomes a little harder for students to be pulled to the cause. This is why the donations for this drive are so vital to the families or individuals who need help, because then the next step will be moving on to buying those people what they need at that time.
In the past these donations have been giving resources to close to 100 families rights before winter break. In 2022 we were able to help over 80 students as well as connected families. There are two ways these families will be able to receive the help they need: by either reaching out and letting our resources know what is needed for their family during this time or staff will occasionally nominate students or a family anonymously. These are observations of students who seem to be lacking resources in shoes or clothing or simply a recognition of needing extra help.
As mentioned, this isn’t a strictly Sentinel gig. This is something the school, staff, students, and members of the community donate to. The community continues to amaze us with the amount of donations that are provided for Sentinel students and families. There was a mention of one community member who has ties to Sentinel who donates part of her pension to this drive every year.

The diversity of this drive is one thing that is quite impressive, and potentially why it is so successful. Donations can be in the forms of a check, a gift card, or even cash. This year the drive hopes to find progress in their sign up genius.

Some others might enjoy giving a little more personality to their donations and they will be able to wrap up in a gift, presents and necessities for the people in need. This leaves donors more inclined to donate, as they are able to help in whichever way fits their lifestyle the best.
Though this is a great time of the year to help people the best we can, it doesn’t mean that this is the only time we can help these families. Donations are accepted at all times of the year for

our families who can be connected through our family resources program. This leaves the opportunities to gain donations for things like second semester class fees, or something like a prom ticket, that way our students in need are always given the help and support they deserve.
All students are working hard in our school to make all forms of donations acceptable. There are so many new ideas that are on the table each year and we hope to keep promoting new ones. This is so important because the more involvement we have the more likely we are to be able to share necessities. This is so short form a one man effort as we push the bound on who we reach and who helps every year.
In the end, this drive is to help all those who need it and is a collaborative effort of not only those in our school but also those who are outside it and want to use our holiday giving as their outlite. If there is anything you know you want to do to help, or know others who are willing to brighten someone’s holiday season, anything is helpful. If there is an interest in donating you can contact Sarah Kragelund at [email protected] or 406-728-2400. There is no limit on how much or how little a donation can be and they can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. No one should be denied the opportunity to enjoy the holidays the same as the student next to them.