The Shoebox Project at Portland High School

As December approaches, Portland High School students are starting to gather items for the annual Shoebox Project.

Kacy Goeckel, a teacher at Portland High School who helps organize the project, said she works with students and staff at the school to organize donations and make sure every child who needs a shoebox gets one.

According to Goeckel, members of the school’s staff try “to bring awareness to the students to help others in our community and bring in donations. Some help monetarily and others help by volunteering their time.”

Goeckel said students and staff donate items to fill the boxes including gift cards, coloring books, crayons, and school supplies.

“I brought in some things the last couple of years and last year I remember I helped wrap a bunch of shoeboxes,” said PHS student Megan Bond.