What is Cougar Cares?

Cougar Cares is the student and family support branch of the CHS HSA. From everyday essentials to special milestones, Cougar Cares is here to make sure students feel seen, supported and celebrated. The need in our community is very real and more extensive than most people realize. Cougar Cares shows up for students all year long. And we couldn't do it without you!

Cougar Cares' mission is to ensure that every student at Columbia High School can participate fully in school life with dignity, and without barriers. Through food support, access to activities and events, emergency assistance, and behind-the-scenes advocacy, we provide help that is always discreet, always judgment-free, and always student-centered. Beyond the drives and donation requests you see throughout the year, your financial contributions are what make it all possible. Keep scrolling to learn more about how Cougar Cares is working behind the scenes to support students and families ... and how YOU can help. 

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Cougar Cares is here to help! If you have questions, want to get involved with the Cougar Cares team, or need financial assistance with CHS activities or programs, please contact us at cougarcares@columbiahsa.com. Students can also reach out to Kelly Murphy or Liz Petroccia in the CHS Counseling Department.

CURRENT ASK | SCHOOL SUPPLIES

How Does Cougar Cares Help?

GIVING CLOSET Cougar Cares helps the Counseling Center keep a pantry stocked with essentials like snacks, school supplies, personal care items, and clothing basics, allowing students to get what they need easily and discreetly.

FRUIT & SNACKS Boy, teens are hungry! Cougar Cares helps the Counseling Center and Nurses' Office keep always available snacks on hand for anyone who needs a boost. Fresh fruit is by far the favorite. (Huge thanks to MEND NJ for supplying CHS with several cases of apples and oranges every single week.) Baskets of fruit are strategically positioned around the school — and are emptied almost as soon as they're refilled!

PROM SHOP Senior Prom is in June, but before that, the CHS HSA Prom Shop pops up every spring to help our seniors look amazing and feel incredible as they dance the night away. Everything is FREE and open to all CHS students.  Prom Shop will start accepting donations of dresses, tuxes, shoes, and purses in January. Then the real magic happens in March and April when parent and student volunteers sort, set up, work the shop, and assist with alterations so every student looks their best at prom.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES  Financial assistance for senior activities is available through the district for those who qualify, but Cougar Cares helps fill in the gaps for additional families by providing aid for things like yearbooks, caps and gowns, and prom tickets. HSA donations fund Cougar Cares' mission to provide discreet, stigma-free support to students who need it.

SUMMER FOOD SUPPORT Summer school days are long ... and the district doesn't provide breakfast or lunch. Cougar Cares helps keep snacks and drinks on hand so that hunger doesn't get in the way of learning.    EMERGENCY FUNDS The need for support in our CHS community doesn't end in June or when a student heads home after school. Cougar Cares helps CHS families with emergency aid for unanticipated needs and grocery store gift cards throughout the year.

How Can our CHS Community Help?

WHATEVER TIME, TALENT OR ENERGY YOU HAVE, THERE'S A WAY YOU CAN HELP! 

SUPPLY DRIVES
Help keep the Giving Closet stocked with on-hand essentials and prepared for giveaways events all year long. Food, personal care products, and other items can be dropped off at CHS or ordered for direct-delivery through our Cougar Cares Wish List. The list changes depending on the season and current needs, but you can order off the Wish List anytime you'd like to support the Giving Closet. Keep an eye out for specific needs in the weekly newsletter and on socials. 

 SHOP THE LIST

WEEKLY SNACKS
Sign up to drop off fruit and snacks. Donations are needed every single week through June; pick a week (or more!) that works for you! Fruit is gobbled up in an instant: clementines, oranges, tiny bags of mini carrots, or apples (NO BANANAS PLEASE). Students also love granola bars (like Nutri-grain, Quaker, and chewy nut-free), Rice Krispie treats, goldfish, peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks, trail mix or any other individually-wrapped snacks. Individual cereal boxes are a huge hit!

STAY TUNED FOR THE 26-27 LINK!

PROM SHOP
Got formalwear? Set it aside for Prom Shop! Dresses, tuxes, suits, shoes and accessories ... help our CHS kids look their best at prom this spring. We'll start collecting early 2027, then we'll need help mid-spring sorting, setting up Prom Shop, and helping students shop. Everything—including minor alterations—is FREE at CHS Prom Shop!

DONATE to Cougar Cares. Your support funds our essential programs and so much more!

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 Thank you for helping fund our mission!
The Columbia Home and School Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. All donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to support our CHS community.

Thank You! | Summer School