If you have any loose change lying around in your messy room, bring it to school on Nov. 17 and support Pennies for Angels. This money will go to the little angels and senior citizens of Erath County.

  National Honor Society will conduct a fundraiser in order to purchase Christmas gifts for angels (children) and senior citizens through the Angel Tree Program in Erath County. This year, senior Jordan Carter will serve as the committee chair for this event. Presiding over her is one of the two NHS advisers: Kathleen Huckabee, Science Department Chair, Anatomy & Physiology, and Dual/AP Biology teacher.

  “It’s an event that National Honor Society sponsors where we collect donations school-wide to provide presents for senior citizens and children in our community that otherwise wouldn’t have Christmas.” Mrs. Huckabee, who has been a sponsor for eight years, said.  “It will take place Friday, Nov. 17.”

  Since this is Jordan Carter’s first time organizing the event, she has prepared early to limit any future problems by coordinating with teachers and members of NHS who will be helping her throughout the day.

  “I haven’t had any complications so far, since I started early,” Carter said. “I’m able to get some questions answered before we have any bad complications. I had to coordinate all of the members that are helping collect the pennies, and I have had to communicate with teachers about the goals of the event. I also have to figure where I’m going to get the pennies that we’ll be selling at the beginning of the day. Getting everything organized and ready is my top priority.”

  After they collect the money, their job doesn’t stop there: there is a long process before the presents can be delivered. The goal this year is to raise $5,000.

  “We deposit the money the day of the activity,” Mrs. Huckabee said. “Then, once we committed to a certain number of angels and senior citizens, we take the money back out and 100% of the Pennies for Angels proceeds go to buy presents. In December, the kids are put into groups where they’re given a certain number of angels and senior citizens and a Christmas list and they go shop from five to about ten, and when they come back they wrap all the presents. We deliver the next day to the banks and nursery homes. We also take donations from small businesses and small organizations outside of the school if they want to contribute.”  

  Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time of giving back, and NHS has come up with an idea to get the whole school body to participate in giving back to those who can’t afford a gift or even food.

  “I think this is cliché, but just seeing people smile when we hand them a present who would normally wouldn’t get one makes a world of difference and it’s a very nice time of year,” Carter said.

  Students can bring or purchase pennies in the foyer from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Students must follow proper classroom behavior or their privilege of participating in this activity will be revoked. Teachers will provide gallon bags to collect all the money which will be picked up by NHS members. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mrs. Huckabee or Mrs. Musick.

  “I just like to encourage all the students to get involved and donate, especially since it’s going for such a great cause,” Carter said.