Athens StuCo Partners w Friends of Foster Kids to Provide Support

Athens Student Council recently held a donation drive for Friends of Foster Kids that exceeded their expectations. After collecting donations ranging from hygiene items to clothes to sports equipment from council members, they opened the drive to the Athens community with a drop off box. In total, over 800 items were collected.

Junior and executive treasurer Lilly Chrisopoulos, who has volunteered with the group in the past, was pleasantly surprised at the result.

“I was clueless the entire time we were taking donations,” Chrisopoulos said. “I wasn’t sure if anyone was donating or what they were donating if they got the chance.”

“As you could probably guess, I was amazed and so excited when I heard the total,” Chrisopoulos added. “I’ve talked with members of Friends of Foster kids before and I could never imagine the struggle and trauma some of the kids go through. It’s important for everyone to think about those who are struggling and are in a time of need. It’s important for people in positions of privilege to remember to give back to the community.”

Friends of Foster Kids, based in Sterling Heights, is a non-profit organization that provides a “Christmas” and other activities through the year for foster children in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect and placed in temporary housing or shelters. According the group’s website, there are approximately 900 children from Macomb County in foster care each year. In addition, the organization has expanded its service to lend a hand to those who have aged out of foster care at age 20 but are still in need of assistance.

“I am proud that our kids have pursued ways to help others during this challenging year,” student council co-adviser Dina Chrisopoulos said. “The result of this project, which put a smile on so many children’s faces, was heartwarming.”

Other student council members were equally surprised and grateful.

“I didn’t have any expectations since only part of our student body was in-seat, so it was amazing to hear how many items we collected,” junior and executive secretary Jordan Doyle said. “I am so glad that we got to help Friends of Foster Care because the items will go to such a great cause.”

“In past years when we would collect things over multiple days, we would have a daily total so we would know how well we were doing,” senior and executive second vice president Sydney Kott said. “But with this, we didn't know until the very end, which made it more exciting when we found out the number.”

Executive President Michael Awwad, senior, was proud of the group’s achievement.

“It felt so amazing not only to have collected so many items for foster kids because of the amazing impact it will have for them but also to see our community come together again to do something great.”

For more information on Friends of Foster Kids, visit their website: https://friendsoffosterkids.org/

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PHOTO: Athens High School Student Council freshman Brooke Lee organizes items collected for Friends of Foster Families.

PHOTO A: Athens High School Student Council sophomores Cooper Batzold, left, and Emma Leonard share items collected for Friends of Foster Families.

PHOTO B: Athens High School Student Council seniors Justin Esdale, left, and James Lee share items collected for Friends of Foster Families.

PHOTO C: Athens High School Student Council seniors James Lee, left, and Justin Esdale share items collected for Friends of Foster Families.

PHOTO D: Athens High School Student Council sophomores Cooper Batzold, left, and Emma Leonard share items collected for Friends of Foster Families.

PHOTO CREDIT: TROY SCHOOL DISTRICT