For the past 12 years, the Hilton School District has joined forces with the Village of Hilton, Town of Parma and local organizations to participate in Make a Difference Day on the last Saturday in October. This year, nearly 200 volunteers – students, staff, teachers, community members, and their families – came together to make the community a better place by rolling up their sleeves and pitching in on a variety of projects throughout the area.
Everyone began their day at Hilton High School where Wegmans Latta Road store donated bagels, donut holes, bananas and beverages to fuel the volunteers before their work began. Then teams headed out to the various sites.
At the High School, cars lined up to drop off boxes and bags of documents to be securely shredded by Certified Document Destruction and Recycling, Inc. Cars could then pull up to the Maven Technologies LLC truck where teams of students unloaded electronics for recycling. In all, 20 pallets equaling 13,796 lbs. of electronics were collected.
Inside the High School, the American Red Cross held a blood drive where 14 pints were collected – enough to save up to 42 lives. Quest Elementary School created 60 paper flowers for cancer patients who cannot have real flowers. The Hilton Chapter of Model United Nations and Hilton Cares collected two bags of children’s coats, three bags of women’s coats, one and a half bags of men’s coats and seven bags of hats, mittens and scarves for the local clothing closet and students in need. “We were lucky to receive a bag of beautiful and, more importantly, warm hand-knitted items for young children,” said Martha Burke, Model UN advisor. “The National Honor Society also donated five bags of hand-knitted hats and scarves crafted by a member’s parent.”
Hilton High School Student Council brought 19 students to Hilton East assisted living facility to create Halloween wreaths, painted “monster rocks” and “Give Thanks” door hangers. “We had a blast!” said Advisor Michael Brook-Gay.
Students and their parents headed over to Parma Library to sanitize toys and books. A new sock drive was also held there.
Make a Difference Day also included outdoor projects. Families went to two homes in Hilton to rake leaves for the elderly residents. Merton Williams Middle School students mulched the trails behind Quest Elementary School. “The kids were very proud of themselves and we would be happy to do this project again next year,” said Collen Grego, social studies teacher.
At Tops Plaza, the Hilton Lions Club, along with student volunteers Stuffed a Bus with donated food that was then brought to the Hilton-Parma Emergency Food Shelf at the Hilton Community Center for sorting. In all, 40 large boxes and about 1,200 pounds of food was collected to fill the shelves during this critical time of need.
Also at the Community Center was the Hilton-Parma Recreation Annual Halloween Celebration where about 500 people enjoyed an entirely free event. About 60 people participated in the parade. Families also enjoyed horseback rides, face painting, gym games, and hay rides, along with pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, apple cider, donuts, and pumpkins, all of which were donated for the event.
After all the projects were complete, volunteers headed back to Hilton High School where Wegmans treated everyone to a pizza lunch.
“Make a Difference Day in our community is all about bringing people together to help create a better tomorrow. The 2019 event accomplished this more than ever,” said Tom Venniro, Hilton-Parma Recreation director and Make a Difference Day Committee chairperson. “Although our many volunteers may not realize it at the time, their efforts and these projects help make significant environmental, social, health, and wellness impacts on so many levels. It is truly a magical experience that exemplifies the best of our community.”
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Nearly 200 volunteers participated in activities throughout the community as part of Hilton-Parma Make a Difference Day.
