Area students band together to help their neighbors in need
North Star Academy’s service program donates to Shiloh House
Service projects are a hallmark at North Star Academy, a K-8 public, charter school in east Parker. The school’s founders envisioned building a school where strong character and service to others were modeled and taught and ingrained into the culture. Students and families recently rallied to help Shiloh House, giving health and beauty items, school supplies, toys and monetary donations.
Based in Littleton, Shiloh House was founded in 1985 and provides therapy, residential and educational services to people who have been impacted by abuse, neglect and trauma. Shiloh House has impacted more than 15,000 children and families throughout the state. North Star’s donations largely will benefit the 555 students Shiloh serves annually in schools and day-treatment programs, along with the more than 600 youths in the organization’s residential programs.
“Our North Star community is always so generous,” said Debbie Benson, eighth-grade reading/writing teacher and Shiloh House service project organizer. “Our students and families really get behind our service projects. As a result, we were able to donate over $1,200, surpassing our $500 goal, in addition to hundreds of supplies ranging from toys and games to toothbrushes to paint.”
“The donations we received from North Star Academy will go a long way to ensure the kids we serve are able to create artwork they can be proud of to hang on their walls,” said Adam Robe, Shiloh’s director of development and foster care. “The outdoor balls and games will allow our kids to get the muchneeded exercise for their growing bodies.
“The additional cash donation will be allocated to help our schools get equipment for the classrooms,”
Robe added. “Not only are the donations helping fill a need for our kids and families, the agency also saved over $3,000 that can now be used to additional provide services.”
Supporting Shiloh House not only advances North Star’s mission to serve and help others, but it also supports the school’s annual character theme of courage by drawing a connection for students in understanding the strength and courage it takes for children and families to stay focused on the tools and resources to develop healthy mindsets.
Students take on leadership roles for each service project at North Star. The school’s Leadership Council members helped collect the donations for Shiloh House and volunteered during their lunchtime to help Benson sort and repack donations.
The Leadership Council consists of appointed middle school students who work with the principal to deliver a school-wide character education philosophy. They develop presentations including puppet shows to help students understand and develop social/emotional skills needed to become respectful and connected members of the community. The council also organizes service-learning projects that raise money for school-wide activities and community projects.
“I enjoyed seeing how much pride each class had in the items they brought. Especially in the second grade, many students had donated an abundance of items and the kids were so excited to give us their donations,” eighth-grader Teagan Brandsma said. “It made me realize that giving can give you just as much joy as when receiving.”
“We are so thankful to the students, families and staff at North Star Academy,” Shiloh House CEO Steven Ramirez said. “Their generosity is humbling and shows how people care for others in our community. Thank you, from all of us and from our children and families, whose lives you have touched today.”