Garden City students make an impact through annual GC Cares-A-Thon
The Garden City PTA partnered with SEPTA and the Garden City Middle School Anti-Bullying Task force for this year’s GC Cares-A-Thon, an interactive event designed to introduce students to local and global causes and ideas on how they can make an impact.
The event, which took place on Jan. 31 began with clubs, outside organizations and individual students developing ideas on how to help others in need. The groups came up with fundraisers and initiatives including food and toy drives and writing letters to various groups. These ideas were then turned into student run tables throughout the middle school, where attendees chose how they would like to make a difference. Each attendee received a punch card at the event and was asked to complete at least 12 activities out of the 32 stations. Participants received two hours of community service.
Every table had their own theme and corresponding activity such as letter writing or bracelet making. Themes included rare cancer awareness, global warming, dyslexia awareness, paws for a cause, hospital heroes, marine life and addressing teen stress in Garden City. In addition to stations, the event included a canned food drive, gift card collection for teens in the hospital, pet food/supply collection for North Shore Animal League, toiletry drive and military collection drive.
GC Cares-A-Thon was made possible with the support of Bailey’s Warriors and The Teen Project, alongside the following GCMS clubs: The Anti-Bullying Club, Music Box Players, Student Council Grade 6, German Club, Environment Club, LEADERS Program Grades 6, 7, and 8, Best Buddies, Maker Space and GSA.
This community service can be used for school requirements such as National Junior Honor Society or for other organizations students are involved in. The success of this year’s GC Cares-A-Thon demonstrated the power of community collaboration while inspiring students to make a positive impact locally and globally.
