Giving brings as many or more smiles to faces as does receiving, which is why you can count on the appropriately named Sunshine Committee at Merrillville Intermediate School to enthusiastically spread cheer throughout the school year. Its members and students work on service projects that give back to the community.
Made up of nearly a dozen teachers, the group, now in its second year, finds an organization in the community to support each month and dials in the energies and enthusiasm of students to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Last month, the Sunshine Committee created a competition between the school’s three PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) groups to collect new gloves and mittens to donate to elementary school students in need.
In October, the group held a penny war to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.
“In this one-day event, we were able to raise more than $600 to donate to the Pink Ribbon Society located here in Merrillville,” said Harmony Hofstra, MIS teacher and Sunshine Committee leader.
In November, the group partnered with the school's S.T.A.N.D. (Socially Together and Naturally Diverse) Club for a food drive for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
Photo: MIS teachers Harmony Hofstra (left) and Jennifer Pala (right) presenting their donation to Ann Peters, founder of the Pink Ribbon Society.