Dec. 18, 2018 ~ Late in the fall semester, Olathe Northwest High School held “Raven Week of Giving” as an opportunity to introduce students to various avenues of service in the community. As assembly was held to recap local charity groups and service projects to help cultivate student ideas.

In Susan Bonjour’s AP Literature class, a competition was held between classes to see which could bring in the most canned food items per student ratio. In total, 1,785 items were collected, netting an average of 24.8 items per student. Other students participated in acts of service outside of the school day.

Moved by a call to action from the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, Olathe Northwest senior Andrew Ost recruited friends Sydney Stephens, Caroline Mullet, Joey Simpson and Meleah Smotherman to volunteer at the holiday shop.

For several hours on a Sunday, Ost and his friends led shoppers through the holiday shop and helped to fill their carts. Parents were able to select books and a toy for their children, a set of new clothes, winter wear and coats. Children were able to select a gift for each parent.

“The whole experience of walking a parent through and having them pick out items for each kid and themselves was amazing,” Ost said. “I cannot find words to explain how the families felt when receiving the items and the way I felt being able to help them so they can have the Christmas they deserve.”

Ost said that shoppers were conversational, often sharing their personal stories and appreciated the help of the volunteers and the Johnson County Christmas Bureau.

“I told each shopper, ‘Take a moment for yourself, breathe and remember to treat yourself,’” Ost said of the experience.