We did it, Greenfield!  You exceeded our expectations and we met our donation challenges each and every time.  We have currently collected over $110,000 (including all matching and challenge donations) and we haven't even reached Day 50 of the Annual Fund.  Thank you for your extreme generosity and your support for our operating budget.  It truly is amazing.

October was a busy and fun month.  We packed the Cambridge for Family Dinner Night and shared personal stories at the GLAMS evening, despite heavy winds and rains.  We bowled and played ping pong in the Trophy Room on DOGS night.  And who could forget the fun (and slight chaos) of our epic Halloween Party!

November is for thanks and giving.  HSA and Student Voice have planned many opportunities for our community to give externally this month.  We don't expect everyone to participate in all of them (although that would be great), but we hope one or two of the collections benefit a group or organization to which you feel a connection.  This week, we will be collecting candy in association with Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, veterans and first responders.  Student Voice will also begin the World of Change campaign.   World of Change is a nonprofit, charitable organization that helps schools to organize philanthropic coin collection drives across the country.  Last year, Greenfield raised the 2nd highest total of any school that has participated in World of Change. 

We are planning a Friendsgiving on the evening of November 15 at which we will gather together to assemble Welcome Kits to benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children through Women Against Abuse.  Please consider contributing an item for the Welcome Kit and/or joining us to separate and sort the items collected.

Leading up to Thanksgiving, Student Voice will hold our third annual canned food drive to benefit Philabundance.  Last year, we were one of the most successful/productive school-based collections in the city.  We are setting a goal of 1,000 pounds this year.

We will wrap up the month with a toy drive to benefit Holton's Heroes.  This organization accepts new, unwrapped toys for hospitalized children and other deserving families in our area.

It's a busy month.  And hopefully we have identified at least one group/organization to which you are able to give in some way.  Additionally, if you are (or know of) a member of our community that could benefit from the generosity of these collections (toys, clothing, food, thanksgiving turkey, etc.), please speak to your child's teacher or Mr. Lazar.   Our community is our priority and all requests will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.  

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I have so many reasons to be thankful this year, being a part of this community is one of them.