The primary mission of the Columbia High School Home and School Association is to support CHS students, families, and staff through enriching and engaging programs and activities, with a focus on access and equity for all students.

Welcome to our FOCUS series!
The HSA has no membership dues, so we rely on the CHS community to fund our efforts. Each month learn how your donations enhance the high school experience and support CHS students.

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This Month: Cougar Cares

Cougar Cares is the student support branch of the CHS HSA. Our mission is to enable every student at Columbia High School to participate fully in all activities by offering discreet, supportive, and stigma-free assistance to those in need, through food support, access to school activities and events, emergency care, and advocacy to address hidden barriers to access.

Throughout the year, we'll share requests for specific needs, such as snacks, toiletries, clothing, and other supplies, but your HSA donations fund the core of Cougar Cares' work.

How Does Cougar Cares Help?

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

Care Packages - Food insecurity is a reality for many CHS students and their families. Holiday breaks can be tough for students who count on breakfast and lunch at school, so Cougar Cares prepares care packages ahead of long weekends and longer breaks.

Your generous donations to our Fall Drive helped Cougar Cares pack 50 bags with food essentials to send home with students over the early November break and we'll do it again for Thanksgiving next week. THANK YOU!

Healthy Snacks - Boy, teens are hungry! Cougar Cares helps the Counseling Department keep grab-and-go 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 a couple of cases every single week.❤️) Baskets of apples and oranges are strategically positioned around the school — and are emptied almost as soon as they're refilled!

Emergency Funds - Cougar Cares helps students in need with emergency funds for housing, unexpected medical expenses, and household needs throughout the year.

NEW! Clothing Swap - Cougar Cares is thrilled to partner with The Loft @ CHS and The Environmental Club for a clothing swap open to all students this December! More info soon!

Prom Shop - Senior Prom is in June, but before that, the CHS 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 March. Then the real magic happens in 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 by providing additional aid for things like yearbooks, caps and gowns, and prom tickets.

This type of support is available throughout the high school experience, whether it's for something not covered by the district (like testing fees, calculators, and prom corsages) or to support students experiencing financial hardship who don't qualify for district assistance because they aren't enrolled in the Free & Reduced Lunch program.

Summer 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.

The need for support in our CHS community doesn't end in June. Cougar Cares is on call year-round to help fill needs as they arise.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We're so grateful for this incredible community that values equity and generously supports our CHS students and families. We simply couldn't do this work without you. Our sincerest thanks to all the amazing staff and faculty who look after our children, to the students who volunteer in the pantry, and to all the folks donating their time and resources to make this a better experience for all our kids. ❤️

~ The CHS HSA Cougar Cares Team

How Can CHS Families Help?

Whether you prefer to volunteer in person, shop and drop off, order online, or donate funds, there's a way you can contribute to Cougar Cares' mission:

• Help keep the Giving Closet stocked and prepare for holiday care packages through our Supply Drives all year long. Food, personal care products, and other items can be dropped off at CHS or ordered for direct-delivery through Cougar Cares' Amazon Wish List. Next up: Care packages for Winter Break, so please keep an eye out for our December Drive soon!

• Sign up to drop off fresh fruit and snacks. Our kids can't get enough fruit, it seems, because MEND's weekly donation is gone in a flash. Fruit and snacks are needed every week through June.

• Volunteer to help in the Counseling Department on Tuesdays and Fridays. Parents restock and organize the Giving Closet and distribute all that fruit! (And it's a great way to get a peek inside CHS!)

• 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!

• Donate to the CHS HSA. Your support funds Cougar Cares' essential programs and so much more!

DONATE

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.

CHS HSA:co-presidents@columbiahsa.com
Cougar Cares:chscougarcares@gmail.com

SUBJECT: CHS HSA FOCUS: November