Helping children who are in need is nothing new for the staff members at Centennial Middle School – they’ve been doing that for years.
But, in recent years, Marty Pekarek, who chairs the Dade City school’s Assist, Believe and Care program, has noticed that children are asking for life’s essentials.
“They ask for food and clothing,” she said.
Their families need blankets, too, said Pekarek. Children in homes without heat have told school staff that they pile clothes on their bed to stay warm on cold nights.
Sometimes, a child’s request can be heartbreaking, Pekarek said.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
“I think the saddest one I had one year was a little boy who said he just wanted toothbrushes, because all five family members were using the same one,” said Pekarek, a learning coach at the school.
Like other Pasco County schools, the ABC program at Centennial Middle, 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City, is funded by voluntary contributions from school district employees.
“It’s to help needy families. Sometimes during the holidays and sometimes other times when families have issues — they need food or clothing or something for children,” Pekarek explained.
“It’s not a government-funded program. It’s just teachers and staff members that donate money to it,” Pekarek said.
In previous years, teachers and staff members would “adopt” a child for Christmas and purchase items for that child. But, that got to be too expensive, Pekarek said.
So, in recent years, employees at Centennial Middle have helped by buying specific items.
This year, the school is providing Christmas gifts for 56 students.
Pekarek creates a spreadsheet of the items she needs, and then makes small angels that indicate specific needs.
This year’s campaign kicked off with a holiday potluck breakfast on Nov. 20, where staff members picked up angels.
“Whatever they can afford, they pick up. They purchase the items. They have to have them back in time for me to wrap the presents,” Pekarek said.
The gifts will be distributed to students on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.
“Sometimes people can afford to buy only two bags of candy, and that’s helpful. “Anything helps us.
“This year, we’re getting the kids hoodies, because they usually don’t have warm jackets,” she said.
“The hoodies, I actually have the sizes and the colors that they want,” Pekarek said.
The students also receive socks, a stocking filled with candy and school supplies, and a bag of personal hygiene items including soaps, shampoos, conditioners and deodorant.
At Christmas time, the committee also provides extra food to help see them through the long holiday break, Pekarek said.
The school also keeps a clothes closet to help children who need clothing. And, during the first cold snap of the season, it offers students a chance to pick up one of the coats that have been donated to help children who don’t have one, she said.
Pekarek has been involved in the ABC committee’s efforts since she came to the school about 14 years ago.
Centennial Middle Principal Rick Saylor is gratified by his staff’s generosity.
“I think it’s amazing. I think it goes to show you that it’s not just about showing up and teaching them. It’s about caring about them. It’s about wanting to take care of all their needs,” Saylor said.
“We know that if they don’t have some of these items that people are going to give them for Christmas, then it’s definitely going to affect how the kids are doing in the classroom.
“I think it goes to show the caring nature of the staff that I have. They truly, truly care about the kids. And, that’s so important. Once you care about them, then you can really, really teach them and really, really make an impact.
“Once they know you care, then there’s that rapport piece,” Saylor said.
The principal also appreciates Pekarek’s efforts.
“Ever since I’ve been here, she’s taken this on and spearheaded these efforts. It’s a lot of time and energy outside of work. We just appreciate what she does.”
Pekarek enjoys being involved.
“I love this school. We have really good kids and really appreciative families,” Pekarek said. “Some families cry when they pick up their presents.”
Want to help?
Centennial Middle School, at 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City, has begun its annual campaign to help families in need for the holidays. It especially needs new blankets to help children who sleep in homes without heat. Those wanting to donate new blankets can ship them or deliver them to the school. For more information on how you can help, please contact Marty Pekarek at (352) 524-9700.
Published December 2, 2015
