The students and staff of Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools have embraced the generous spirit of the season by paying it forward

By Mimi Vanderhaven

In the inimitable words of John Lennon, “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?”

For the students, teachers and administration at Willoughby-Eastlake Schools, the answer is—a lot. Their level of giving back to the community is beyond impressive. Here are just a few of their admirable efforts:

• The district-wide Willoughby Eastlake Classified Professionals (WECP) W-E Care Food Pantry is a community service project that supports the district’s students and families in need. WECP staff members hold food drives and fundraisers, collecting non-perishable goods and monetary donations to keep the pantry running strong. The pantry is located at Northern Career Institute’s (NCI) Eastlake campus.

• At the Business Academy at NCI Willoughby, everyone chipped in to raise money for a Thanksgiving dinner for a Success Academy student’s family.

• During the Hat and Mitten Drive at Longfellow Elementary, people donated to help others weather the worst of winter.

• For the families at Edison Elementary, the month of October turned into “Socktober” with a drive that collected a whopping 4,194 pairs of socks to go to a variety of local shelters. South High School also held a Socktober drive.

• About 50 students from the Volunteer Club at North High School rolled up their collective sleeves and raked leaves from the yards of senior citizens in Eastlake and Willowick. All year long, this ambitious group lends its boundless energy to projects like the Suicide Prevention Walk, Hospice Walk and making meals for seniors.

• In true “it takes a village” spirit, the students, teachers and families at Grant Elementary are cheering on a fifth grader who is battling cancer and in the hospital. His teacher is providing remote instruction and schoolmates have raised money to help his family with the medical bills.

• Through the School of Innovation’s Stocking Project, now in its 12th year, more than 400 stockings have been filled by families. They will be delivered to needy children by the Cleveland Police Foundation.

Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools system. To donate to the W-E Care Food Pantry, contact Nancy Knack at nancy.knack@weschools.org or 440-943-2950. For details, visit WESchools.org.