Grandview Middle School students, accompanied by members of the Orono Police Department, delivered hundreds of items to WeCAN on Dec. 13.
Click on the above image for more photos from the annual drives.
January 3, 2025 — Students at every school in the Westonka School District embraced the holiday spirit throughout December by collecting a variety of items for families served by the Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN).
"Thank you to all the Westonka students, parents and staff who made donations to WeCAN this season," said WeCAN Executive Director Christopher Anderson. "We especially appreciate the wonderful assortment of personal care items, cleaning supplies, paper products, and toys that will support our families for months to come."
The Hilltop Primary School WeCAN drive was a huge success. The Hilltop student council collected paper products, personal care products and cleaning supplies daily for two weeks. WeCAN representatives picked up the donations, totaling over 1,000 items, on Dec. 13.
Student council advisor Melissa Abernethy said the students enjoyed collecting everyday items that are needed in the community.
Shirley Hills Primary School put together an Amazon Wish List and had items delivered directly to the school. The school sent multiple emails to families and staff members during the two-week drive and families responded by contributing nearly 400 personal care items, cleaning supplies, and paper products.
“Thanks to donations from Shirley Hills families and staff, we were able to contribute a significant number of personal care items to WeCAN for their holiday drive!” said social worker Brita Osland. “Your generosity and support to this community is incredible!”
With lights flashing and sirens blaring, several Orono Police Department squad cars left Grandview Middle School on Dec. 13 on an important mission. Along with several local police officers and four Grandview students, the vehicles were filled with over 600 toys, paper products, cleaning supplies, and personal care items to be donated for distribution at WeCAN. The school also collected financial donations for WeCAN.
Each grade level morning meeting class who collected the most items won a donut party from the student council. Fifth graders Maci Bazewicz and Leo Bourgeois, sixth grader Dannie Hays, and seventh grader Ben Hallett were selected to ride along and help deliver the gifts.
Advisor Elizabeth Ackerson thanked everyone who participated in the drive. “We are so appreciative of our amazing GMS families and students who brought in all the donations to help our community,” she said. Ackerson also offered a special thank you to the Orono Police Department who helped deliver the gifts.
Led by Student Senate, Mound Westonka High School conducted a successful drive in December, collecting nearly 300 personal care items and cleaning supplies, and hundreds of dollars in financial donations.
“The WeCAN holiday drive is so incredible because students at MWHS get to help others in our community,” said junior Avery Pearson. “I am so grateful to be a part of this!”
“It was such a fun and fulfilling experience to work on the WeCAN drive this year," added junior Maria Sells. "We are so lucky to have an organization like this in our community!”
“This is a great way to get students involved within their community, and I’m so proud of our student body,” said junior Georgia Harmer.
Even the district’s youngest learners took part in the holiday collection drive. Students at the Westonka Early Learning Center collected toys for youngsters to be used in WeCAN’s Adopt-a-Family program and Holiday Shop.
For more information about WeCAN, visit the WeCAN website.
