By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
As winter settles in across Southwest Michigan, members of the Otsego High School National Honor Society are once again working to help ensure those in need have the proper clothing to stay warm.
Throughout January, the OHS NHS is sponsoring its annual Share the Warmth campaign, collecting new cold-weather items to be donated to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
Items being collected include new hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks. Donations may be dropped off at the Otsego High School office, and community members can also contribute by purchasing items through the group’s Amazon wish list.
OHS math teacher Katie Wideen, who serves as advisor for the National Honor Society, said the project began four years ago after students expressed a desire to expand their service beyond the Otsego community.
“When I met with my officers after taking over the National Honor Society group, they wanted to do something new and different that would impact the greater Kalamazoo community,” Wideen said. “We already did a big Christmas project locally, so we wanted to find a way to help beyond our own area.”
The group decided to partner with the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, focusing on winter clothing for individuals who often must spend significant time outdoors during the colder months.
“Our first year was an overwhelming success,” Wideen said. “So we have continued to partner with the Gospel Mission every winter.”
That success has continued year after year. According to Wideen, the Share the Warmth campaign typically results in 500 to 600 donated items annually, and the goal this year is to collect at least 650 to 700 items.
“The response has been great each year from both the school community and people from the community,” she said. “We try to make it as easy as possible to help by creating an Amazon wish list, but this is also a great time of year to pick things up while winter items are on clearance and drop them off at the high school.”
Beyond the number of items collected, Wideen said the project has a meaningful impact on NHS students themselves.
“This project helps students realize there are many people who don’t have the necessary items to keep warm during Michigan winters,” she said. “Many of these are things my students take for granted.”
NHS members will also deliver the donated items to the Gospel Mission, giving them a firsthand look at where their efforts make a difference.
“They’ll get a tour of the facility and meet some of the residents who will be blessed by their donations,” Wideen said.
In addition to Share the Warmth, the Otsego High School National Honor Society has several service projects planned for the remainder of the school year.
In February, NHS students will complete their third round of handmade cards for four assisted living facilities — one in Otsego and three on the west and north sides of Kalamazoo. The group creates approximately 450 cards each round, with projects held for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and spring/Easter.
In March, NHS will partner with Otsego’s elementary schools for March is Reading Month. Members will visit the schools to read to elementary students.
“The elementary kids love having the older kids come and read to them, and the older kids love hanging out with the younger kids and seeing their former elementary teachers,” Wideen said.
In April, NHS will complete its fourth and final round of handmade cards for the same four assisted living facilities, again producing about 450 cards.
In May, NHS will partner with Roofsit to help raise money for the Community Healing Centers of Kalamazoo through the organization’s Tips for Kids campaign. Students will spend a day at the Shell gas station on West Main collecting monetary tips, all of which will be donated directly to the Community Healing Centers, which provide resources and support for children and families in the Kalamazoo area affected by child abuse.
As the Share the Warmth campaign continues, Wideen expressed appreciation for the community’s ongoing support.
“We want to thank the community for all of their support for each project that we do,” she said.
Donations for the Share the Warmth campaign will be accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 28, with all items benefiting the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
