OXFORD – Beginning this evening and spilling over into Wednesday night, a group of local high school students will donate their time and camaraderie for two area food pantries by way of an organized food drive as a community outreach.
With a dozen seniors paving the way for 10 juniors, participation in the program shows a marked increase over last year’s 12-member group.
Under direction of Oxford Academy's Jane Ford, the Oxford chapter spends much of its time participating in community service efforts, and the 2015-2016 group echoes the values handed down from previous years.
The organization will continue to build upon the success of its past food drive, served up with a clever twist that evokes participation from students, school athletes and members of the community.
While the Oxford boys’ and girls’ JV and Varsity basketball teams are hard at work against rival Unidailla Valley Tuesday and Wednesday night, members of the Blackhawk Honor Society will be busy collecting non-perishable food items in lieu of admission into the games.
Spectators can also choose to opt-out of the effort to fill McDonough and Oxford food pantry shelves by paying with cold hard cash which will likewise be donated.
The fee of one item per student or two items per adult (alternatively $1 per student, $2 per adult) will all go toward lining the shelves of the two local pantries.
Ford indicates that although there’s a year-round need for general donations, the need is especially significant in the winter moths when heating and fuel costs are on the rise. And while that might seem like a weak analogy given this winter’s milder temperatures, she stresses that many in the community still face hunger insecurities.
“It truly is an honor to be a part of the Honor Society,” said Ford. “It really sets these students apart from the rest of the pack as members must maintain an ‘A’ average while participating in numerous volunteer programs such as the food drive.”
“These students understand that the fruits of their labor often benefit the families of fellow students, and they realize the importance,” she added.
Along with stocking food pantries, the group will also usher at the annual school play and high school graduation ceremony, man the phones of the Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon program, mentor incoming freshmen at the beginning of the academic year, and organize the annual Easter egg hunt at the primary school.
For more than 55 years, Oxford Academy has been churning out Honor Society members, which expects a certain type of behavior and academic excellence. Members are judged on their civic activities within the community and leadership abilities.
“Another activity that the group manages is the sponsoring of a family in need at Christmas every year,” said Ford. “In a nutshell, they basically provide Christmas for a disadvantaged family by providing the meals, gifts for children, and good sprits to the less fortunate.”
Aside from the obvious benefits of philanthropy, the students will have the ability to have membership listed on their transcripts which is an enticing bonus for college admissions.
“It's a very good thing for them to have on their transcript, and allows them the ability to stand apart from their peers,” added Ford.
Being a part of Honor Society acts as an opportunity to enhance leadership and allows high school students the ability to realize that they can help others and change lives.
“It's not just about having good grades and transcript endorsement. It's about doing good things and having the ability to make life better for others,” said Ford. “While some of the Honor Society's programs are required for all members, many are on a voluntary basis – and the majority of these students opt to volunteer for all of our events. They really are a great group of young adults that the community can be proud of.”
The Blackhawk JV/Varsity teams take on Unadilla Valley beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. (boys on Tuesday, girls Wednesday) in the Oxford High School gymnasium on South Washington Avenue.