Engaging students in charitable work will ensure new generations of givers.

Lake Central High School students and The Salvation Army provide warm clothing during the coldest days of winter

Lake County, Ind. – With their purpose to volunteer to do good works throughout the area, the Lake Central High School student group, “N-Teens,” held a wildly successful winter clothing drive, collecting hundreds of winter coats and other warm clothing for individuals and families served by The Salvation Army Lake County -- just as the most frigid temperatures of the season seized upon Northwest Indiana.

“The entire club is thrilled that the warm coats, boots, hats, gloves, and more that were donated by Lake Central families went to people who needed them during this very difficult time,” said Kristina Collard, Lake Central High School English/Publications Teacher and N-Teens Sponsor who helps to coordinate activities with the N-Teens group at the high school located in St. John, Indiana. “We hope to make this an annual drive-in order to provide winter wear to those in need,” added Kristina.

The N-Teens is a student group whose purpose is volunteering and earning service hours needed for graduation. Currently there are more than 100 LCHS students participating in N-Teens. The drive was held at the school’s main entrance from Wednesday January 27 to Wednesday February 3. Bins of gently used and new items (winter coats, hats, gloves) were collected. Most of the coats were donated by Lake Central parents, students, and faculty. N-Teens welcomes all LCHS students to join the service club.

“This could not have come at a better time,” said Captain Brian Clark, Coordinator for The Salvation Army Lake County. “Until recently we’ve had a rather mild winter with the demand for emergency food, rent and utilities payment assistance being very high. Now with windchills below zero, families with little or no income are desperately in needs of warm winter clothing,” Captain Clark said.

Students K through 12 and beyond who participate in a nonprofit's work will quickly discover that even at a young age they can have a positive impact on their community -- and even the world. As teens begin to make career choices and pursue their careers, philanthropy and volunteerism will more likely be an objective in choices made. He/She may ask themselves, "When I become an automobile mechanic, a teacher, small business owner, attorney or something else... how can I use my position, skills and talents to serve a worthy cause?"

The Salvation Army Lake County serves the entire county from its three Community Centers in Munster, East Chicago, and Gary by providing emergency food assistance, homelessness prevention services, after-school programs for children and youth, music education programs and much, much more. Please visit www.SalArmyLakeCounty.org to discover more about The Salvation Army and its work – and how you can participate in helping your neighbors in need. If you have questions or would like to make a donation of your time and resources to the good work, please contact Kevin Feldman at 219.838.1328 or [email protected].