The Blanket Drive at Ripon High is a way for students to give to the less fortunate. The fundraiser runs from Nov. 8 to Nov. 18, and it’s all about giving blankets to the homeless. All the money collected by the students at Ripon High for the fundraiser will be used to buy blankets for the homeless people of Stockton.

Some of the students in charge of the drive are vice presidents within the leadership class, in collaboration with the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless. The organization’s mission is to compassionately address the needs of homeless individuals and families by providing safe shelter, basic necessities, and a structured opportunity to regain self-sufficiency. They envision a community strengthened by individuals brought together in devotion to the well-being of those around them.

“I really like the way leadership prioritizes community service and giving back to others,” said Avery Redula, senior. “Being able to put on this Blanket Drive for an organization I know is trustworthy and will help the homeless makes me feel good.”

Giving back to the community through charity is a way to make anyone feel great, and Redula is no exception. She is experienced in running these types of events, having run the Coin Wars Fundraiser in her sophomore year for Make-a-Wish. As a school and a community, giving to charity should be a regular part of our lives. It’s important to give back, and the Blanket Drive is a great example of making a difference, while also being fun.

“I think the competition makes it more exciting for the students to be involved and participate more,” said Anthony Sausedo, senior. “It makes the students want to beat the opponents.”

In the Blanket Drive, there is a competition between the upperclassmen and the underclassmen. Each team gets a jar of their own in every classroom, and their goal is to get the most coins. But, there’s another factor to consider: every dollar in the jar is a negative point to that team, meaning you can sabotage your opponents. This makes the students competitive, while also raising even more money for the noble fundraiser.

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