DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – Darlington High School (DHS) students and volunteers sorted through donations to local elderly. News13 met with the dedicated volunteers as they celebrate the annual Old People’s Christmas event.
About 75 students, parents and volunteers have come together to help the Darlington Community make sure that they have household items like food this Holiday season.
Nearly four decades ago one Darlington High School teacher saw a need to help elderly and families in need. 90 percent of the donation bags are for senior citizens or shut- ins.
Annie Louise Ross- Beatty, Receives food from Old People’s Christmas event said, “Every year I know they are coming.”
“I can count on them,” Ross- Beatty adds.
Each year students and alumni have an opportunity to give back during the holidays.
Breanna Cromer, Darlington High School Senior, “If they are alone they need to know that there are people that care about them and can bring food to them.”
One Darlington graduate has traveled from Myrtle Beach for the past 19 years for volunteer.
Katie Shuler, DHS Graduate and Volunteer for 19 years, said, “It’s really amazing to see the looks on students faces to see how certain people live. What they don’t have. What their needs are.”
More than 100 seniors and families receive several food bags– some those families that receive food are current students.
“You’re most likely to have at least one student here that will receive food. So, the fact that they are willing to get out and give other people food is pretty amazing, knowing that they are getting it as well,” Shuler adds.
DHS students accept monetary donations all year long. To donate visit the DHS main office, all checks or money order to the Old People’s Christmas event.
