Pius XI Catholic High School kicked off its annual Thanksgiving Drive on Thursday morning with a raucous assembly in the Fieldhouse.
The drive is organized and run by students.
This year, they're opting to collect money and supplies for the town of Utuado, Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria earlier this year.
The students will be collecting summer clothing, toiletry items, water, batteries and non-perishable food items through the end of the year.
They hope to send at least the first shipment of donations to Puerto Rico by Christmas.
Seniors Brianna Torres, Yeheila Viruet and Leilani Cavan helped to organize the drive. All three have family members who live in Puerto Rico.
“What better way to help heal the world and make it a better place than to bring Puerto Rico to Pius so we can spread awareness and help out?” Viruet said.
“To be honest, it’s really hard to know that your family doesn't have a way to connect with you, and that they’re in dire need of help,” she added.
School officials at Pius said the institution’s mission is to serve as an example to others, and that the Thanksgiving Drive is an example of how the school can come together to help a group of people in need.
Torres said she was proud to help lead the collection efforts.
“Just the spirit of Thanksgiving, and of giving, I think makes this the perfect time to do this,” Torres said.
