Katie Bly Kicklighter

Volunteers listening to Jessica Waters give opening speech for the 30th anniversary of Adopt-A-Family.

A wise man once said that “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!” While not everyone celebrates Christmas, this rule applies to the whole holiday season.
On an unassuming day in November, the Rocky Peers really lean into this concept of singing loud for all to hear. This year, that day was November 13.

Peers could be heard singing, laughing, and cheering through the halls on their merry way to deliver the envelopes containing very important homeroom messages. This exciting, loud, chaotic, slightly bothersome, delivery service kicks off the most wonderful time of the year…Adopt-A-Family!

The tradition started in 1997 when peer counselor Jessica Macbeth, now Waters, saw a need in our community. Waters realized that people still need basic items, not just fun gifts.

“So I was like, well, I go to a really big high school. There’s really great people there. I think we could do something about it,” Waters said.

Sure enough, when she brought the idea to admin and the director of the peer counselors, Pam Kilness, they said that they could give it a try. The idea really took off from there. They had rooms filled with stuff and students committed to helping their community.

That first year, Rocky “adopted” and provided for between 45 and 55 families; since then numbers have grown to around 70 families per year. Families are “adopted” from around PSD. Mrs. Collingwood reaches out to the councilors from our feeder schools who then recommend families that could benefit from Rocky’s help during Adopt-A-Family. We also “adopt” families from one of the preschools in PSD that we can help.

Adopt-a-Family day is its own kind of service and fun. Families walk in and get a Peer escort to lead them through the festivities. First, they are led to the media center where AP Art has tables set up with different crafts for any children to create.

In the Media Center, children and adults can find Santa! With help from the French Club, kids can talk with Santa and get family photos taken with the Big Guy.

Next, they stop by the Bo’ Cycle shop and get bike helmets and a few items knitted by people in the community.

Finally, they make their way to the rocks where they check in to get their gifts and groceries from StuCo and student volunteers.

Many families have sent cards and personally told the Peers that this time is such a blessing for them and their families.

Jessica Waters said that “there’s great power in doing something for others. The reward is so much greater than whatever you bring in to give these families. Just the reward of knowing that you did something good.” So keep doing good!