The Ken-Ton School District is in the giving spirit this holiday season, and we’re so proud of everything our students & staff are doing to make sure the holidays are joyous for everyone.
Below, you’ll learn all the different ways our Ken-Ton Schools are making a difference in our community.
Edison Elementary
Edison Elementary is hosting a pajama drive from November 20th-December 20th with donations benefiting Edison families and the Ken-Ton Closet.
The school’s Tree of Warmth is once again in the school’s main lobby and is collecting new children’s hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and warm socks.
The Edison Elves are also busy at work helping Edison families in need of a little extra help this holiday season. Thanks to staff members and the school’s social worker, struggling families will be getting wrapped donated gifts to distribute to their little ones on Christmas morning.
Franklin Elementary
Under the direction of Franklin teacher Lisa Wdowka, the school is once again giving back through “Teddy Bear Wish Lists''. Lists are hung in the Franklin faculty lounge, where staff members can choose a bear and purchase some or all of the items on that list. All the donations will go to Franklin families in need.
Holmes Elementary
The Holmes Elementary Holiday Helpers team is providing holiday gifts to nearly 100 Holmes families, thanks in part to generous staff members and their community partners.
The school also has a tree in the main lobby that is stocked with hats, scarves, and gloves for any students in need. The items are generously donated by the Ken-Ton Closet and a Holmes staff member.
Hoover Elementary
Hoover Elementary Social worker Susan Sperrazza is once again spearheading “Hoover Helping Hands”, one of the school’s biggest giving efforts of the year. This initiative allows students & staff to give back to families in the community by providing them with gifts, food donations, and other necessities.
The school is also holding their annual “Pennies for the People” penny drive. This year, the teacher or staff member with the most pennies in their box gets the honor of wearing a special costume.
Lindbergh Elementary
Lindbergh Elementary is collecting toiletries from November 30th-December 15th with donations helping Lindbergh families and the Ken-Ton Closet. Students who bring in a donation will get to add a special paper ornament to the school’s Giving Tree.
Franklin Middle School
Franklin Middle is holding a food drive through December 15th with donations benefiting the school's food pantry.
They're also hosting a winter gear drive, collecting hats, scarves, gloves, etc. that will also benefit Franklin students in need.
Hoover Middle School
During the month of November, Hoover Middle students & staff held a food drive that resulted in more than 600 food donations going to the Ken-Ton Closet. The school celebrated their accomplishment with an assembly called the “Thrill of the Spill”. For every 100 donations, a lucky student was chosen to dump a “mystery bucket” over a staff member of their choosing. All the buckets contained food items that were either expired or were unable to be donated.
Kenmore Jr./Sr. High School
As part of a senior project, one 401 Big Picture student is looking for donations for Santa’s Workshop, which is an opportunity for students in the program to pick out gifts for their friends and family. Those interested in helping out can bring stocking stuffers, household goods, decor, jewelry, games, accessories, clothing, and gift wrapping accessories to the building's door #1 during school hours.
Kenmore East High School
The school’s National Honor Society is partnering with Child and Family Services to collect donations through their annual Angel Tree Christmas project. The tree, standing outside the school’s main office, has ornaments labeled with high-demand items that students & staff can shop for.
Students in Patricia Phalen’s classroom are also participating in a special community service project where they’ll be sending cards and essential items to homeless Veterans. The classroom has been collecting donations like men’s hats & gloves, toiletries, and grocery store gift cards.
Kenmore East’s 20th annual “Gobblin’ Up Hunger” food campaign was another huge success, with a total of 18,832 non-perishable food items collected during the month of November. All the donated food goes to Kenmore East families in need, the school’s daily food pantry, and the Ken-Ton Support Center. Over 20 years, the school has collected nearly 272,000 items through their annual drive.
Kenmore West High School
The Kenmore West Foundations Team is once again hosting a Holiday Shop where students can purchase gifts for their loved ones during all lunches on December 19th & 20th. The shop, located inside the high school, is filled with items generously donated by Kenmore West staff and are available for purchase using “West Best” tickets.
For more than 30 years, the Kenmore West Holiday Fund has given assistance to students whose families aren’t financially able to provide them with a holiday gift. Since its inception, the school has been able to help around 450 students and is once again giving back to some of their own. Donations are being collected from faculty & staff and this year, the Fund will also be providing food gift cards thanks to the generosity of the Town of Tonawanda Senior Center.
The Community Club and National Honor Society is hosting its annual holiday party on December 9th. This event assists students & families in need from all five of our Ken-Ton elementary schools. Families will enjoy lunch, participate in games, decorate cookies, and receive a special visit and gift from Santa.
Students & Staff also spent the month of November donating new winter clothing articles through the “Warm Hugs for the Homeless” campaign, in conjunction with the Salvation Army. The campaign, which was originally started by current Kenmore West student Nyla Moore back in 2018, was part of a DECA Project.
