Four members of the Severna Park SkillsUSA Chapter came together to kick start their Community Service Project: Ignite Warmth. This was more than just a simple donation drive, Severna Park High School’s SkillsUSA Chapter’s “Ignite your Warmth” project has woven a wave of community support, touching lives with warmth, comfort and appreciation.
Seniors Angelica Coleman, Covenant Akinremi and Adeline Faust, were the driving forces behind this initiative, crafted a multi-faceted approach to address the needs of their school and the wider Anne Arundel community.
Project Linus: A Blanket of Comfort and Community
The project’s collaboration with Project Linus went beyond a simple donation. The students organized a school-wide “blanket party,” inviting fellow SkillsUSA members and students from across Severna Park High to participate in creating handmade blankets. This hands-on approach fostered a sense of community and shared purpose.
“We wanted to create something tangible, something that would provide comfort and security to children in need,” Faust said. The collective effort resulted in a heartwarming outpouring of handcrafted blankets, each one a testament to the students’ dedication and compassion.
Meade Middle School: Coats for Comfort
Recognizing the needs of their neighboring Title I middle school, the Severna Park students partnered with Meade Middle School to address the challenges of winter. Utilizing various social media platforms like Instagram and sharing the cause on various Facebook groups, they launched a coat donation drive, encouraging their peers and community members to contribute gently used winter wear ranging from coats to shoes. But their efforts didn’t stop there. Each donated coat was carefully tagged with an inspirational message, adding a touch of encouragement to those receiving them. Understanding the unique challenges faced by middle schoolers, the students also included fidget toys in their donations, providing a sensory outlet for students.
“We wanted to provide not just physical warmth, but also emotional support,” Akinremi said. “The inspirational messages and fidget toys were a way to show the middle schoolers that we care, and the snowman soup was a way to let the teachers know how much we appreciate them” Coleman said.
Hot Chocolate Kits: A Sweet Gesture of Community Support
Of course, no winter initiative would be complete without a warm beverage. The “Ignite your Warmth” project culminated in the creation and distribution of hot chocolate kits, a simple yet effective way to bring comfort and joy to their own school.
Caden Lazzor, a member of the chapter said, “The hot chocolate kits were a simple way to give people a little pick-me-up during the cold weather. It’s a small gesture, but we hope it made a big difference.”
Through their collaboration with Project Linus and Meade Middle School, and their thoughtful distribution of hot chocolate kits, members have demonstrated the power of community engagement and the profound impact that young people can have when they come together to make a difference. This initiative is a shining example of how compassion, creativity, and collaboration can ignite a spark of warmth and hope in the hearts of others.
