It’s officially the time of the year where families are preparing for the holidays. Despite this, what does this mean for local families in need? How will they prepare for the holiday festivities, all while making sure there is a roof over their heads, and food on their tables? 

In regards to this, Clackamas High School is preparing for their annual holiday giving program: Winter Blitz. Originally created 26 years ago, Winter Blitz is Clackamas High’s way of giving back to the community and helping families in need during the holiday season. The program has grown to be available to all North Clackamas students, and this year it will take place on December 2nd – December 9th, 2023. 

Winter Blitz is one of Key Club’s (a club at Clackamas High School) holiday project. Winter Blitz specifically is considered one of the most successful and widespread holiday projects created by any high school club in the country. Depending on the donations, Winter Blitz has been able to help 150 to 450 families each year. This year it is estimated that they will help many more families as staff at Clackamas High School believe this year’s applications have filled up the fastest than ever before. Families that apply for Winter Blitz will be able to receive a food box, toiletries, holiday gifts and clothes. They have the opportunity to create a list specifying what they specifically need and want for the holiday season. Once Key Club students receive those lists they use the money earned for Winter Blitz to purchase everything off each family’s lists. Another event that’s a part of Winter Blitz is a carnival, an accommodation for parents to have their children occupied while they shop for their holidays essentials. Face painting is just one of the many activities that will be held at the carnival. 

So what exactly is Clackamas High School doing this year to prepare for Winter Blitz? “We are preparing by putting together flyers, posters and social media posts, making boxes and collection bins. We’re hoping to make this year the best Winter Blitz yet,” responded Ms.Klimek, the leadership teacher at CHS when asked what her students are doing to put together this year’s Winter Blitz. Clackamas High School’s Leadership class and Key Club have a major role in putting together Winter Blitz’s Toiletry Drive and Food Drive. Clackmas High asks participants donating food to the canned food drive to donate food like peanut butter, canned food, veggies, and even soup. “The food we collect goes to the Lions & Elks clubs to make the food baskets & distribute them to our families in need,” mentions Ms.Miller, the After School Tutoring teacher and Red Cross Advisor at CHS. The event will take place on November 13th, and precede all the way until December 8th. Similarly to the Canned Food Drive, Clackamas High School asks anyone donating to donate shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, as they believe they are the most needed items for the families in need. “So the toiletry drive is happening from October 23rd to November 3rd. All of the donations get donated to Winter Blitz, and families are able to get as many toiletries as they need,” says Britney Nguyen, a student  a part of the student government class and Key Club at Clackamas High School. Britney says that Winter Blitz goes beyond this as they are much more for the families to enjoy besides the Canned Food Drive and Toiletry Drive. An example of this is the Latin X Student Union at CHS hosting a Toy Drive, as well as giving all of their donations to Winter Blitz. 

“It’s really nice to help out because you get to see all the faces lit up and know you really made a difference in someone’s life,” says Britney. Clackamas High’s Key Club announces on the Winter Blitz page that its their goal is to lend a hand to local struggling families, so that they too can enjoy the holidays. Many could mention other organizations or programs to similar projects like Winter Blitz. So what sets Winter Blitz apart from other service projects? Key Club mentions on their page that unlike other service projects, Winter Blitz is a student-led community service, and that students have a major role in the process of preparing for Winter Blitz.  When asked how she, one of the many students preparing for 2023’s Winter Blitz, feels about the annual project, Britney Nguyen says, “It’s basically just like a better thrift store and everything is free for all the families in need. A great way to give back to the community.”