Chehalis Is Thankful
Nov. 24, 2023
We Have a Lot to be Thankful For
In the Chehalis School District, we have so much to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving season, we are especially thankful for our community who went above and beyond to make sure that families in our district could celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal.
In all, 23 families received Thanksgiving dinners this year. The Gather Church donated 12 turkey dinners, complete with all the trimmings, which were given to families in the Chehalis School District that staff at our schools identified as potentially needing such help. One family's turkey dinner was also sponsored by the Providence St. Peter/Swedish Family Medicine Chehalis Rural Training Program. The staff for that group have indicated they also plan to donate another meal in December.
The fund for the Bearcat Pantry was able to purchase 10 additional Fuller's Holiday Meal Deal certificates, which were donated to W.F. West families identified as needing help this holiday. The Bearcat Pantry is a year-round resource available to W.F. West students providing food, clothing and hygiene items to any student in need. Various community partners donate money to the Bearcat Pantry, which allowed the purchase of the Fuller's certificates
"The support the Chehalis School District receives from our local faith communities and businesses every year is essential for us to help our students and families in need, not only around the holidays, but every day throughout the school year. Without these organizations, we could never do this kind of outreach," said Brian Adams, district mental health counselor and McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act liaison for the district. "I have seen firsthand the joy a Thanksgiving meal brings to a family or how a 'Cup of Noodles' from our school pantry helps a student make it through the day. It is truly a blessing to be able to help our Chehalis family through the generosity of others."
W.F. West educational support teacher Meagan Corey, who worked on the W.F. West Thanksgiving Meals project, said there are many students in the Chehalis School District for whom their living situation makes affording even basic necessities difficult, let alone extra expenses such as a Thanksgiving meal or Christmas presents. Besides families with lower incomes, she explained that students in foster placements or who are homeless or living with friends or family members other than their parents, are some of the other students who need assistance.
"I just know that I work with a lot of different students in various backgrounds who come to school every day but they're living in alternative living situations that don't make it easy," Corey said.
Sharing Traditions at School
At Chehalis Middle School, sharing the spirit of Thanksgiving comes in the form of staff members strapping on silly aprons and serving up slices of turkey.
This tradition is Principal Chris Simpson's favorite part of the year and is one that he started when he first became principal 12 years ago. He said in talking with students at the middle school, he learned that many of them either did not celebrate Thanksgiving at home or their families could not throw the traditional large family dinner many Americans associate with Thanksgiving.
On the last full day of school before Thanksgiving, lunch at the middle school is a full Thanksgiving feast, including roasted turkey (this year, food service workers roasted 16 birds to feed everyone), mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and dessert (this year's was pumpkin bars that students raved about). Simpson jokes with the kids, offering them the wishbones and encouraging them to try the skin and the dark meat. He said what he loves about the event is the sense of community it creates.
"I love that kids who have no idea what Thanksgiving is or don't get to celebrate it at home get it here at school," he said.
Thankfulness Is All Around Us
It is traditional for elementary students in the Chehalis School District to do Thanksgiving art projects that help them express what they are thankful for. Here are a few of our James Lintott and Orin Smith students showing off what their classes worked on this Thanksgiving season. Thank you to Dr. Brian Fox and Orin Smith Assistant Principal Jonathan Fox for capturing these great photos.
Some Ways to Spread Thankfulness this Season
- W.F. West DECA is holding a food and clothing drive for the Gospel Mission now through Dec. 1. Donation boxes are located outside the Crimson & Gray coffee shop at W.F. West. and DECA members will be donating all tips at the Crimson & Gray coffee shop to the Mission.
- W.F. West Leadership is looking for donations for its Winter Wishes event now through Nov. 29. The goal is to grant as many W.F. West students' wishes as possible through donations of coats, shoes, clothing, games, art supplies, gift cards and candy from the community. If you would like to donate money or items to this effort, email jetaylor@chehalisschools.org, scummings@chehalisschools.org or alexanderm25@chehalisschools.org.
- James Lintott Elementary is holding a food drive Dec. 4-8. Donations can be dropped off in the school office.
- Chehalis PTO has a wish list on Amazon for its annual Grinchmas at James Lintott on Dec. 8. Community members can donate items to make this event memorable for students.
- The district is now looking for sponsors for its Bearcat Blessings wish lists. The district compiles wish lists from students throughout the district who are nominated as needing a little extra help this holiday season. Donors take a wish list, purchase and wrap items and return them before Christmas break. For more information or to sponsor a wish list, call W.F. West Counselor Jessica Boeck at (360) 807-7235 ext. 5516.
- The Bearcat Pantry is always in need of donations of money, hygiene products, clothing and food. This is a free resource to any W.F. West student in need. Contact W.F. West High School at (360) 807-7200 to make a donation.
- The Helping Hands closets at James Lintott and Orin Smith Elementary Schools are always in need of donations of new and gently used clothing for students, especially pants/leggings, socks and underwear. Donations can be dropped off at either school office or the Chehalis PTO created an Amazon Wish List for the effort.
- Chehalis PTO is looking for new and gently used books to be given away during their Bingo for Books events. Books can be dropped off at the main office of either James Lintott or Orin Smith elementaries.