Clubs contribute to 'Hope for the Holidays' Telethon
This year is the 14th year of the successful “Hope For The Holidays” telethon at Franklin Regional, which typically makes about $10,000, according to Kids Helping Kids faculty sponsor and science teacher Amy Smith.
The money raised this year will be donated to the Westmoreland County Food Bank and the Mother of Sorrows Food Pantry.
“The Telethon is a day full of all kinds of different fun events,” said Smith. “Obviously, one of the biggest parts of it is the broadcast, but there’s also all the club booths set up, and the silent auction.”
This year the set-up will be similar to the Homecoming Bonfire, with many of the clubs participating selling at booths, according to Smith.
“It’s a fun time to get into the holiday spirit, and spend a day at school learning about the importance of donating,” said Smith.
KHK-
Kids Helping Kids, or KHK, deals mostly with the fundraising for the telethon, according to Smith.
“We communicate with all the other clubs to try to get them to help out, and we oversee all the donations,” said Smith.
KHK also holds a silent auction, and this year they are running a new children’s activity where preschool age children come to the school for crafts, participation in the broadcast, and a visit with Santa Claus, according to Smith.
“There are a lot of families out there who need help, and [the Telethon] is a great way for KHK to support families in need,” said Smith.
NHS-
This is the third year that National Honor Society, or NHS, will be hosting “Minute to Win It” competitions, according to NHS faculty sponsor and science teacher Rebecca Connelly.
Students will have one minute to complete one of the five challenges, competing with their peers for the fastest time.
Participation will cost $1 per challenge, and winners will get tickets to participate in the silent auction, according to Connelly.
The officers will also be performing a parody of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on the telethon broadcast, titled “How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Gave It Back in Service”, according to Connelly.
“One of NHS’ main pillars is service,” said Connelly. “This is a great way for us to get some students involved, have fun, and give back [to the community].”
NAHS-
National Art Honor Society, or NAHS, will be face painting to raise money for the Telethon, according to NAHS President Gracie Pekarcik.
Students can pay $.50-$1.00 to have their face painted, according to Pekarcik.
“[The Telethon] is another opportunity for us to use art skills to benefit the community,” said Pekarcik.
Sculpture Club-
The Sculpture Club will be using their skills in sculpting to create holiday themed garments that will be modeled in a fashion show, according to Sculpture Club faculty sponsor and art teacher Denielle Desantis.
“Think Project Runway,” said Desantis. “The more outrageous and artistic they are, the better.”
The show will repeat during every QRT period, and will cost a fee to enter, according to Desantis.
“I think [the Telethon is] a way to show students the importance of giving back, and make them feel very fortunate for what they do have,” said Desantis.
WIRC-
The Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition team, or WIRC, will be selling used books to support the telethon, which they have been doing since the club was founded in 2003, according to WIRC faculty sponsor and librarian Jesse McDonnell.
“The mission of the club, in addition to promoting and enjoying reading, is to be productive members of the community,” said McDonnell. “Readers by nature are concerned about other people, so [WIRC] likes to take part in these activities.”
Some other clubs are participating in the telethon, either by making a basket, having a booth, or performing on the broadcast. Here are their contributions.
