What happens when students come together not just to plan events, but to make a difference? At West Leyden, that answer can be seen through the collaboration between Student Council and the LIFE Program during this year’s Food and Toy Drive.
This marks the first time the drive has been run as a school-wide effort in partnership with Student Council. “It’s been awesome,” said Ms. Lyke. “We’ve gotten a ton of donations this year. In the past, we ran the drive just through our program and our partnership with the Leyden Area Food Pantry.”
The LIFE program typically hosts two large food drives each year one in the fall and one in the spring. Items collected include non-perishable foods and seasonal necessities requested by the Leyden Area Food Pantry. With Student Council joining the effort, donation bins were placed in Rooms 62 and 64, as well as in the Student Activities Office located in the lunchroom.
Student Council advisor Ms. Lopez explained that service projects like this have been a long-standing tradition at West Leyden. “This is my second or third year running Student Council, but I know this has been going on for many years before me probably, at least 20 years,” she said.
Both groups worked together to collect, organize, and prepare donations before delivering them to the food pantry. “The LIFE program collects them downstairs in the basement, and we collect through Student Activities,” Ms. Lopez explained. “Then we combine everything and help deliver it to the Leyden Area Food Pantry.”
For students, the experience goes beyond collecting donations. According to Ms. Lyke, one of the main goals is helping students connect with community resources while building important life skills. “We want students to know about resources they can use in times of need or ways they can give back,” she said. “They’re learning job skills and social emotional skills while helping others.”
Students also learn responsibility by checking donations before they’re delivered. Items are inspected to make sure food isn’t expired or dented and that toys are new and unwrapped.
Through this collaboration, students at West Leyden are learning that leadership doesn’t just happen in meetings it happens through action. By working together, Student Council and the LIFE Vocational Program are strengthening community connections and showing how teamwork can make a real impact.
