The Student Council, along with staff, is helping GNHS families this holiday season.

The Student Council recently took over Holiday Help from counselors and administrators, but things look very different amidst the pandemic. This year the program is running differently, but they hope to help just as many families. The goal of Holiday Help is to provide families with presents and food for the holiday season.

“Last year was our first year in COVID, and we just did money donations. We raised $7,000” said student council sponsor Meghan Crowley.

Last year in the thick of the pandemic, the Student Council sent out a link where students and staff members could donate money to the cause. They raised about $7,000 and helped around 36 families. They provided gift cards for presents and groceries to help make their holiday season a little bit brighter.

“We are actually shopping for the families. Right now we are still collecting families that are in need, and then on December 10 we will drive a bus after school to shop for the families,” Crowley said.

Student Council members will receive a list of their assigned person’s interests without their personal information being given out. The Student Council members are also holding a wrapping paper drive to help them wrap these families’ presents. They will purchase and wrap presents while staff members will get them to their respective families either through pick up or drop off.

“Our goal is really just to help as many families as possible,” Crowley said.

The drive is a great way for the members of the Grayslake North family to give back. It has actually been a tradition for many teachers to donate to the drive during the holiday season. Even now, amidst the pandemic and after the structure of the drive has changed, many teachers and students donate.

“The holiday program is a great way to give back to the community, and it makes me happy to do so,” said teacher Julia Burkel.

The holiday program represents the essence of the holiday season itself. It represents giving, uniting as a community and helping those in need. It’s special because it is an opportunity for the members of the school and the community to come together for the greater good, uplifting everyone and celebrating the holiday spirit.

“It’s touching that we are able to come together for the greater good of the community,”said Student Council president Julia Jose. “Holiday help is special because it allows Student Council and the student body to give back for the betterment of the community and their peers that are in need of some extra love this holiday season.”