Members of the National Honor Society held their annual food and gift-giving event.

The holiday season is a time of giving, and at Chautauqua Lake Central School, the National Honor Society continued its tradition of making the season brighter for families in need. Through their annual food drive and gift-giving initiative, NHS members, school staff, and community partners come together to spread kindness and support during the holidays.

The process begins early in the school year when the school identifies and reviews families in need, with NHS adviser Nick Raynor reaching out to offer assistance confidentially. Staff members are invited to sponsor a family by providing gifts for children or donating funds. Community partners, including generous donors for local churches, also contribute to this program. While some choose to shop for gifts themselves, others donate money, which the NHS uses to ensure every child receives something special. This thoughtful approach ensures that no family is left without support during the holidays. This year, the NHS is proud to support over 20 families and 60 plus children through their efforts.

In addition to the gift-giving, NHS also hosts a food drive that directly benefits the families. The collected items help provide a complete traditional holiday meal, including mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, canned vegetables, mac and cheese, canned fruit, biscuit mix, cranberry sauce, and desserts. NHS members shop for any missing food items and add fresh produce to complete the meal packages.

Students in the National Honor Society advertise and collect donations during the food drive, organize and box up food items, and sort the incoming gifts for each family.The students also wrap the gifts with care and coordinate delivery to families, ensuring everything arrives in time for the holidays.

Prior to Chautauqua Lake carrying out this project, records show that both the Chautauqua and Mayville NHS chapters have been organizing food and Christmas toy drives since the early 1990s, making this a long-standing tradition. Superintendent Dr. Josh Liddell shared, “I’ve been blessed to work at Chautauqua Lake for the past 17 years, first as Principal and now as Superintendent. Throughout this time, the NHS Holiday Drive has always been a highlight, reflecting the strong sense of community and positive culture within our district. It’s truly inspiring to see the spirit of giving shine so brightly year after year.”

The Chautauqua Lake National Honor Society continues to set a powerful example of giving back and plans to carry on this cherished tradition for years to come. Principal Rachel Curtin offers, “This service project helps foster a sense of compassion, empathy, and togetherness within the school. Through the efforts of staff, students, and community partners, families in need can look forward to a brighter and more joyful holiday season. Thank you to all who donated and serve as role models for giving and service to our students.”