JEHS Student Council Brings Holiday Comfort Through Generosity

The spirit of giving was alive and well this holiday season at Jordan-Elbridge High School, as the Student Council led an inspiring effort to support children in need. Partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national non-profit organization, the Student Council collected and donated essential bedding items to help ensure that children in the greater Syracuse and Oswego City area can sleep comfortably.

SHP's NY-Syracuse chapter, a growing group of dedicated volunteers, has been making a profound impact by building, assembling, and delivering beds to children aged 3 to 17 who lack a proper place to sleep. As of December 31, 2024, the chapter has delivered an astounding 5,882 beds, including 209 in December alone.

Inspired by this mission, the JEHS Student Council rallied students and community members to contribute to the cause. Their efforts resulted in over 30 bedding items, including pillows, pillowcases, and bed sheets, filling three large donation boxes.

Brooke Chiaramonte, President of the JEHS Student Council, reflected on the significance of the initiative. “It’s something we don’t even think about,” she said. “We go home and sleep in a bed every night and we don’t think about it. Sleeping in a bed every night is something that a lot of us take for granted, and there are a lot of kids around us that do not have that. Everyone deserves to sleep in a bed at night.”

The donations were warmly received by SHP volunteers, who emphasized how much these contributions mean to the families they serve. Each bedding item plays a vital role in making a bed not just functional, but a cozy and inviting space for a child in need.

This partnership between JEHS and SHP demonstrates the power of community and compassion. By taking the initiative to give back, the Student Council has shown how small acts of kindness can bring warmth and comfort to others, especially during the holidays.

Through their efforts, the JEHS Student Council not only helped fill beds with the essentials—they also filled hearts with hope, proving that even the simplest gestures can make a lasting impact.