Charlie Brown once posed the question, “What if today we were just grateful for everything?” Pioneer High School students put this sentiment into action by assembling Thanksgiving dinner baskets for those in need.
Conny Hernandez, a former PHS employee, started the Thanksgiving basket tradition several years ago in an effort to ensure no student went without during this special holiday.
Mrs. Hernandez, though retired, still volunteers her time and resources to provide for and organize the baskets. Also, faculty and staff at Pioneer donated lots of food, especially turkeys and hams.
When the program first started, the food baskets went to families of students at Pioneer. However, because of a great response from the staff at Pioneer, the program has quickly grown.
This year, JAG students volunteered to divide up the donated food which resulted in 26 Thanksgiving baskets. Each basket can comfortably feed four people.
These baskets went to families in need across Carson City School District. The recipients are identified by Pioneer staff according to specific needs.
Mrs. Hernandez, along with Pioneer’s school counselor, Cary Jordan, began organizing this effort several weeks ago. The food started arriving earlier in the month and the baskets were complete by Nov. 21.
PHS students and Mr. Jordan arranged to have at least one basket given to all of the nine other CCSD schools this year to add to the tradition.
PHS has a spirit of gratitude and hopes all in the community had a happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca Allen is a teacher at Pioneer High School. Alex Bennett is a student there.