Every year, the PCS National Honor Society (NHS) chooses a Christmas service project. John Choi, NHS President, shares, “For this year's NHS service project, we decided to collect donations from PC community members to donate to a local organization called Human Solutions [that provides support to low income and homeless families]. The organization sets up a Holiday Store every winter, and the items donated are sold with huge discounts through the store. Those who wish to purchase presents but aren't able to, can then buy great gifts for their loved ones at affordable prices. NHS officers decided that collaborating with Human Solutions was the best way to closely connect with our community and give back to the Portland community -- and we hope to continue working with them in the years to come. All NHS members put a great deal of work in setting up the tree, making tags, collecting gifts, and advertising, so we are extremely happy with the marvelous result. We are very, very grateful for all those who brought gifts as without them, this project would have been meaningless.”
This year, NHS also found themselves partnering with the seventh grade class. These junior high students were challenged during one of their classes to find the true meaning of Christmas, focusing on Christ rather than on receiving gifts themselves. In response, a group of students led by 7th grader Christina Rabe decided to make and sell cookies with attached student-created cards. The intention of this, explained Christina Rabe, was to draw attention to Christ. About six students and their families volunteered to make cookies and sell them to their fellow school mates (6th through 12th grade) for a period of two weeks. A packet of three cookies cost a dollar. Six hundred cookies later, the money they raised exceeded their goal of $100.00. Christina noted that many students were involved in focusing on the true meaning of Christmas – some made cookies, others sold them at lunch time, some made the cards, and still another group sang carols at various classrooms on the last day of school before Christmas break. Most importantly, Christina observed, these groups were student-led, and not necessarily part of the Student Council.
John Choi celebrates “the great work the junior high students put into this project. Some 7th graders, on their own initiative, decided to sell cookies at lunchtime to collect money for presents and they raised over $200 in the first week! What they did is truly impressive and all of us in NHS are very thankful for the amazing work they've done.”
These students, out to change the world with Christian love and values, are an example for all of us. Christ truly is the focus of Christmas – let us all seek Him!