As the holiday season approaches, BBHHS’s annual Yuletide Hunger Drive unites the community to support those in need by collecting food and donations for local families, ensuring a warm and festive season for everyone. The drive ran from November 14 to December 5 and was organized by Student Government Executive Project Manager, Lindsay Tayfel.
Lindsay has been involved in this drive for the past three years and ran it herself this year. Her inspiration to run this drive stems from the fact that she is fortunate enough to not have to worry about how she is getting her toiletries and food. Long term, Lindsay would like to see this food drive take off, “I would like the drive to grow to an extent so large that we run out of places to store the items.”
Maddy Tayfel, Student Government Director of External Affairs, and twin sister to Lindsay, also played a role in this drive’s success. She feels that it is important to note that we do this particular hunger drive during the holiday season “and this is because it can help remind us of what the season is really about.” Maddy believes that this drive only begins to tap into our school’s full potential for service. “Participating in the Yuletide Hunger Drive is just one example of the capability the high school community can create. I feel that the possibilities of the students here are truly endless.”
Staff also feel this way about student involvement within our school. Vice Principal, Mr. Backo says, “There is nothing better than watching students take the initiative in a project like the Yuletide Hunger Drive that allows them to realize the impact they can make on their community.” Backo views his role as Vice Principal as a way to
provide opportunities to students to become “change makers.” He wants to see students succeed and make an impact on their community.
Brecksville Alumni and History Teacher, Jonah Pichette, has seen this drive evolve from the perspective of both a student and a teacher. As this is the 42nd year of The Yuletide Hunger Drive, you can imagine how much it has changed over the years. Pichette says, “I have seen students effectively manage to collect more and more donations each and every year. This is done by creative thinking student leaders who are able to prioritize doing good and combine that with the desires of students.”
Although we didn’t meet our overall donation goal this year, any number of donations makes a positive impact on our community. There were several limiting factors this year that specifically contributed to the decrease in numbers. Lindsay found the main ones to be that “we no longer have a daily colony with our homerooms, meaning there was likely not a constant reminder or easy spot to place items,” as well as “the switch to toiletries this year, which makes it harder for students to easily grab stuff from home.”
The Yuletide Hunger Drive at BBHHS continues to be a testament to the school’s spirit of giving, even as it faces challenges. While this year’s donations may not have reached the original goal, the drive’s impact on the community remains significant. The dedication of students like Lindsay and Maddy Tayfel, along with the support from staff and faculty, highlights the power of collaboration and the importance of giving back, especially during the holiday season.
