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Buckeye West Elementary is helping feed families for Thanksgiving holiday

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING HELP — Buckeye West Elementary School in Adena is helping families within its school enjoy Thanksgiving with a food drive that ended Monday. Nonperishable goods and drinks were being collected by the school’s 220 students in grades prekindergarten through six with the winning grade level earning an ice cream party. The public can get involved and contribute while pickups and deliveries for distributions are available by contacting the school at (740) 546-3413. Shown with the Tom Turkey collection meter are, front, from left, second-grader Emerson Stidd, first-grader Ava Wade and fourth-grader Annie Meyer, and back, school Secretary Katrina Czuchran, nurse Mandi Cook and Principal Brian DiCola. -- Contributed

ADENA -- Buckeye West Elementary is ensuring that school families enjoy the upcoming holiday by conducting a Thanksgiving food drive.

Principal Brian DiCola said the school's 220 students in grades prekindergarten through six have been gathering nonperishable items to assist families. Each grade has been assigned to collect a different boxed or canned item, including corn, green beans, jars of gravy, noodles, mashed potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese and drinks (except for soda) while about 20 turkeys have been procured for the meals. DiCola said names will be randomly drawn and the selected families will receive the food after Monday's deadline.

"We're looking to give back to our families as much as possible. It's a tough time economically, and a lot of families do so much for us, no matter how fortunate they are," he continued. "We're trying to get the families around the table at Thanksgiving. It's an opportunity to create memories or relive some old ones."

He added that the school community has always been generous, and it was only right to return that kindness.

"We came together earlier this year and said this was something we wanted to do. It's a small school and a small community, so we are able to do this," DiCola said. "Each homeroom gets an item, and the kids are really getting into it. They are really excited."

It was the first time in a while that the community service project was done, and students said they were glad to lend a hand.

"It's helping everybody," said first-grader Ava Wade.

Secretary Katrina Czuchran and nurse Mandi Cook have been busily procuring turkeys and organizing the collection while the winning grade level will receive some sweet rewards in the form of an ice cream party.

DiCola said items can be picked up at the school or delivered to the families.

"We will distribute them on Nov. 22," he commented. "Parents or guardians can arrange for pickup at the school or we'll deliver it ourselves. We'll do our best to do this food drive every year."

For information, contact the school at (740) 546-3413.

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