Article and Photos By Adalynn Wareham
This year, the Bennington chapter organized a special initiative to support families during the Christmas season. The fundraiser focused entirely on helping families in need so that children could experience the joy of receiving gifts on Christmas morning. Toys for Tots, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps, collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to children to foster responsible citizenship. The club plans to continue seeking opportunities to support this foundation and further serve the community, especially those in need.
Bennington’s chapter set a goal to collect 150 gifts during the drive within the high school; however, not only did they reach that goal, they surpassed it with additional support from the middle schools. In total, more than 200 gifts were collected and donated directly to the Toys for Tots foundation.
The schoolwide campaign was part of the larger Feed Nebraska ribbon project, which encourages service, community engagement, and charitable giving among students and faculty. Collection boxes were placed throughout the high school, and FBLA members led the charge by promoting the drive and organizing collections from the Marines. This two-week campaign was a huge success. Faculty, students, and other staff all contributed to the overwhelming success of the drive. Items ranging from dolls, board games, books, and baby items filled the donation bins, reflecting the community’s commitment to helping ensure all children experience the joy of the holiday season.
FBLA advisers and members expressed gratitude for the strong turnout, noting that this year’s donation total was their goal of filling five large boxes to send back to the Marines. Representatives from the Marines praised the students’ leadership and organization, emphasizing how meaningful these contributions are for families in need. With the success of this year’s partnership, Bennington FBLA hopes to continue its involvement in community service projects, such as the Toys for Tots, and continue fostering a spirit of giving among its student body.
Bennington FBLA is looking forward to connecting with our school community and community around Bennington.
