Downey H.E.L.P.S

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

November 21, 2011

Toys and canned goods began piling in room T-2 as the annual Food and Toy Drive was held from Oct. 31 – Nov. 21 with hopes of receiving a minimum of fifteen thousand items. Although orchestrated by the PTA, ASB conducts much of the advertising and collecting. The event was publicized by the morning announcements, encouraging students to take part and bring in cans to their fourth period classroom. ASB hung posters all around campus for students to see that any help is accepted.

The fundraiser was off to a rocky start. By the first week, the amount counted was a mere 363 cans. Students would either forget to bring in their items or decide not to for lack of extra-credit. ASB Commissioner of Campus and Community Service Jennifer Sicardi, 12, shared her concern about the lack of incoming goods.

“We need the student body to collect canned food items because we need to give back to families that will have little to eat during the holiday season,” Sicardi said.

In order to increase the numbers, the final collection date was pushed from Nov. 14 to Nov. 21. This produced a major change in the student body, allowing classes more time to bring in everything they could. Throughout the following week, students carried bags filled with soups, rice, and Mac N’ Cheese, just to name a few. C, 11, was one of the many dedicated students who took part in the cause.

“Although I was offered extra-credit, it felt good to help. Other students should definitely participate,” Reising stated.

Teachers, like Ms. Dolores Flores, encouraged students to contribute to the drive out of the goodness of their heart, rather than for the boosting of their grades.

“When you see kids bringing in food for people who don’t have as much as we do, it’s really nice to know that extra-credit isn’t the only way to get Downey to make a difference,” Flores said.

By Nov. 8, over 2,600 items were donated. Sicardi acknowledges that progress was going well, keeping in mind that today’s economy is not as good as it once was.

“Although originally my goal was 15,000 I understand it’s difficult, especially during tough times, but I’m still hoping for the best,” Sicardi said.

During its final efforts, Downey collected over 6,400 items altogether. All collections will go to the PTA Health Education Local Pantry Services (H.E.L.P.S) and be distributed to families in need.

About the Contributor

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

For senior Marilyn Ramirez, newspaper is not only a class. No, for this young journalist, The Downey Legend is her inner voice, her happy, her passion, her future. Ramirez sets out to improve her writing ability with every new story, setting new goals for herself with the start of every deadline. She is currently the Copy Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief on staff. She joined the online publication in order to gain experience in journalism; after studying at either UC Berkley or San Francisco State University, she is certain she will write for Time Magazine and develop a career in photojournalism. Ramirez plans on hiking through war-zones, or the jungles of Borneo in order to capture the beauty she wishes to documents. This journalist has no space in her agenda for anything less than extraordinary. When she is not writing stories or improving her photo and web layout skills, Ramirez enjoys spending time with her better half, Kyle Hudspeth. Like many others, she adores Disneyland and shopping . She might be found at her favorite drinks chain, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, reading a book or making awkward conversation with strangers. She has an unbelievable amount of positive energy, which she utilizes in a myriad of activities from school work, to staff bonding, however, it is not so obnoxious, because it is balanced out with the right amount of sarcasm. Ramirez is a fast-paced, modern girl of sorts with a dedicated disposition; she is undoubtedly heading toward great heights.