National Honor Society launches its first chapter project collecting money for the Denver Rescue Mission.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
Through November 19th, National Honor Society will begin collecting loose change for Denver Bronco player Champ Bailey’s charity, Champ’s Front Range Change, which is partnering with the Denver Rescue Mission to raise money to fight homelessness.
This time around, the project will also be a competition between TJ and other participating schools. The winning school will win a school-wide assembly with Baily and a 15-minute meet-and-greet for NHS members.
National Honor Society Sponsor Eileen Adair is excited to begin the chapter project with a brand new group of members. “We have a very energetic and dedicated crew this year. I knew that we’d need everybody on board to successfully participate in a project like this, and I knew we’d get a great response from our NHS students as well as the TJ community.”
With the revival of old TJ traditions happening this year, new activities are very exciting ways to unite the TJ community. “We’re always looking for fresh new ideas for NHS service projects. I learned about Champ’s Front Range Change, thought it sounded like a worthwhile and interesting project, and pitched it to our officers. Everyone agreed it was a wonderful idea.”
Every year National Honor Society selects four new senior officers to help plan, brainstorm and come up with new ideas for the group. While Red Ribbon Week used to be the traditional October chapter project, the members are excited about the change. Senior officer Jessica Sergeant was eager to have something new as a chapter project. “This project lets people know what we’re doing, and for that I think more people will get involved. It’s not the same old stuff so people are intrigued as to what’s happening,” she said.
While donating a few coins may not seem like a big deal to some, it helps more people than most students will be able to know. “I think it will be successful because it’s not asking a lot from the students. We’re asking for a small contribution that will eventually feed in to something bigger and it’s for such a good cause,” said Sergeant.
The competition aspect is one of the biggest changes that sets this project apart from many of the activities in which NHS participates. Sergeant explains, “The idea that the entire school could be getting a prize from it is a big motivator for people. It’s a great way to get the entire school involved and give the community one more reason to believe that TJ is awesome!”
The members of NHS were required to decorate two jars or boxes so that each classroom has an individual container for donations. In addition to the smaller receptacle, there will also be members collecting change in a big bucket at lunchtime. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Denver Rescue Mission, which is an organization that provides food, shelter, clothing and education to those in need. For more information about the project, ask Eileen Adair in room 106 or visit www.denverrescuemission.org/missionevents.
