Choir’s caroling, coat drive lead high school’s holiday efforts

As the season is rapidly approaching, students and staff are jumping in the game and helping out so they can serve others.

Fitting to the season, choir director Eliott Kranz’s has his  carolers hitting up different places in the Cedar Valley to bring their joy to all. The carolers have already performed at the Sartori Festival of Trees Brunch on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at GBPAC as well as ArtVan furniture for the store’s Christmas promotion.

There are 15 carolers in the pack. “The group was created to perform at the Festival of Trees Brunch,” Kranz said. “They were picked by me based on availability and if I thought they could be successful at singing these familiar carols in parts.”

They have more destinations, and will perform at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo for brunches the club is hosting on Sunday, Dec. 11 and 18.

Along with the winter time, senior Miranda Rokes is stepping up and taking on a whole coat drive. She said, “OK, so the coat drive is at CFHS, but we are trying to get collections from every school within the district as well as the community itself. All the coats collected will go to the box in the counseling office. There will also be boxes at each school in the district.” The drive has been running since Wednesday, Nov. 30 and will continue until Dec. 23.

“I guess the one thing I have always wanted to do within my high school career,” Rokes said, “has been a coat drive. I love knowing that we as a school can have the ability to give someone something so simple and yet so effective, so when Aastha Chandra gave me the opportunity through the Volunteer Club to be in charge, it was a perfect fit.” Chandra is the head of the volunteer club that Rokes is working through.

Rokes said, “There is not a certain amount I am looking to raise in the sense of numbers, but the more the merrier. Hopefully, due to getting many schools and groups involved, we can raise a couple hundred. Even if only one is raised, the coat drive will still be a success knowing we helped someone.”

All these coats will be dispersed throughout different committees and clubs. Rokes said, “There are many different organizations in mind for the final contributions. The Waterloo Boys and Girls Club will be getting a portion of the coats, the Coat Drive Committee is also thinking about the Women’s Shelter in Waterloo. I think it is important for those in our school to also benefit from the drive, so possibly giving a portion to those who need them within our own school district.”

Rokes said, “There is no other feeling that can bring pure joy like volunteering and serving. I love seeing the smile on people’s faces after I’ve helped them. It’s crazy because I’m helping them, but really they are helping me see true happiness out of the smallest things.”