150 meals, $20,000: How Rock Hill Schools are spreading Christmas cheer in 2021
On a morning last December, students and staff at Northwestern High School were packing bags of food to be sent to families in need within the Rock Hill school district.
The same happened 12 months later — only now the event has grown.
The three high schools in the RHSD packed and delivered a total of 150 meals on Wednesday afternoon, tripling the amount of meals the district distributed during the same event last year. At Northwestern, specifically, football and wrestling players and coaches stuffed brown bags to the brim with sprial hams, rice, loaves of bread and a bunch of non-perishable items donated by students and faculty (like mac and cheese, noodles, corn, green beans and more).
Northwestern participants also put $25 gift cards to various places (Walmart, Showmars, Wing King Cafe, more) in the bags, too.
“It’s a hard time of year for most families,” said Northwestern athletic director Jimmy Duncan, who was at the event Wednesday. He added, “So hopefully this helps a little bit.”
Community service has been an emphasis of Rock Hill high school athletic programs throughout 2021. The Northwestern football team volunteered with Hungry Heroes. The South Pointe and Northwestern volleyball teams helped stock local food pantries all fall sports season. The Rock Hill girls’ basketball team volunteered with “community cleanups” around the city.
And more.
Wednesday was another example of Rock Hill Schools athletic programs making an effort to give back, Duncan said.
“Last year, we started this and said that we hoped it would grow,” Duncan said. “This year, we had three high schools, 150 meals, and hopefully we can get York and Clover and the Fort Mill schools together, and maybe build it more.”
Jadeveon Clowney foundation spreads Christmas cheer too
The Rock Hill school district has been spreading Christmas cheer in the community well before Wednesday, too.
On Friday, the Help in Time Foundation — led by 2011 South Pointe High School alum and current Cleveland Brown Jadeveon Clowney and his family — hosted its seventh-annual “Jingle-A-Thon with Jadeveon.”
Per a release from the school district, Clowney’s family distributed approximately $20,000 in gift cards to students and their families on Friday in the district’s central office. The foundation also sent people home with Cleveland Browns swag and other gifts.
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