Three students at Hockinson High School are showcasing the importance of local fundraisers this holiday season.
Sophia Sermone, a senior at Hockinson, along with her classmates, Zachary Chung and Sarah Deroos, organized the school’s Giving Tree toy drive, the first there in a couple of years. Donations will go to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.
For Sermone, the recipient choice has a personal element: Her younger brother, Tony Sermone, has a rare genetic condition and has received care at Doernbecher.
“The biggest goal is to help as many kids at Doernbecher as we can,” said Sophia Sermone, who’s led the drive. “It’s knowing that there are people out there who will benefit from this that means so much.”
HOW TO DONATE
Public donation sites: Hockinson Market, 15814 N.E. 182nd Ave.; Elim Lutheran Church, 15815 N.E. 182nd Ave.
Students at Hockinson High School can donate on campus.
The three students have been close friends for a while. They are all members of their school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter, a group focusing on creating opportunities for students and fostering community; Sermone is the vice president.
As of Friday afternoon, the three classmates were about 40 toys away from their goal of 300.
They began organizing the drive a month ago, starting by choosing Doernbecher to receive their donations.
After making handmade donation boxes, tags for the tree and personalized thank-you notes, it was all about getting the word out — and getting the community to join in.
They’ve been promoting the drive through school announcements and partnered with Hockinson Market and Elim Lutheran Church to set up additional donation sites to collect gifts through today.
Chung, a junior, said the toy drive’s success showcases the ability of a tight-knit community to unite and make a positive impact.
“Most people have been going to school together since elementary school and even before that,” Chung explained. “It’s just so cool to see everyone come together.”
On Dec. 11, Hockinson joined forces with Ridgefield High School for a combined donation event called “Battle of the Bears” during Monday night basketball, which brought in hundreds of stuffed toys for kids.
“It was a really cool thing to see because Ridgefield and us are really competitive with each other, but it’s cool that competitors and rivals can come together to do something that’s going to help others,” said Deroos, who’s also a junior.
Although the last day of the drive is Monday, Chung and Deroos are hoping to organize similar events within their remaining time at Hockinson. As she finishes her senior year, Sermone said she has a goal of collaborating with her classmates to help the future generation through local community service.
“Hockinson is a really small town, so it’s really important just to give back to those who give to us,” Sermone said.
