Many of Indiana High School’s clubs and associations are once again raising money for the annual Teddy Bear Fund Drive. The Teddy Bear Fund Drive is a tradition in Indiana that benefits pediatric care units in the area. Organizations and businesses all across the county raise money to donate to the cause.
One of the main contributors to the Teddy Bear Fund Drive at IHS is the Student Government Association. SGA does many things to help raise money throughout the holiday season.
The day before the holiday break they have a variety of activities that support this cause. The morning starts with a student and teacher Variety Show, and the afternoon is busy with activities. SGA President and senior Caroline Albert commented, “SGA has a basket raffle to help raise money and we also sell popcorn and cotton candy during the school day. It is important that we raise money for the Teddy Bear Fund Drive each year because it’s helping people in our community.”
Other clubs around the school are contributing by doing things such as donating gift baskets or having bake sales and donating the profits. Recently, students at IHS ran a raffle where the prize was Squishmallows. All proceeds were donated to the Teddy Bear Fund Drive.
Senior SGA member Maycie Lorelli shared how students can donate and get involved stating, “SGA is holding its annual Teddy Bear Fund Drive raffle starting in December. Students can get involved by buying raffle tickets or anything where proceeds go toward the Teddy Bear Fund Drive.”
The Teddy Bear Fund Drive was founded in 1980 to help pediatric patients that were not as fortunate as others. The drive has been able to donate close to three million dollars throughout the years. The funds benefit children in the community as well as Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.
IRMC’s website states that, “Indiana County schools play a significant role in the Teddy Bear Fund Drive. From preschool to elementary to middle and high schools, our youth step up to help those children who are not as fortunate. The ways they raise their contributions are many to reflect the different and creative ways to pitch in.”
The holiday season often motivates people to give back. The Teddy Bear Fund Drive is a great opportunity to do that. Donations to the drive can be made online at IRMC’s website by going to https://www.irmc.org/foundation/ways-to-give/ or by taking advantage of the many opportunities that IHS’s clubs and organizations have to offer.
[Photo by Larry Nath] Photo caption: “SGA members Kole Hodak, Caroline Albert, and Kyla Weaver, along with SGA adviser Mr. Michael Bertig work the cotton candy machine to raise funds for the Teddy Bear Fund Drive.”
Gabrielle Isenberg
Reporter
Gabi is a freshman and a first-year reporter for the High Arrow. She enjoys reading and swimming for the YMCA and IHS. Gabi hopes to report accurate and current information to the community.
By GABI ISENBERG It’s spring, and that means it’s baseball season. Since the end of March, the IHS boys’ junior varsity team has been taking wins left and right. This season, the IHS JV baseball team has won nine games and lost one. They were undefeated until recently, losing a
By ELLA BARLEY Seniors at Indiana High School decorate their lockers to express their interests and hobbies. Many seniors involved in sports and extracurricular activities express that onto their lockers. Sports teams also have underclassmen from their team decorate the seniors’ lockers. Senior Abby Huey states, “My underclassmen decorated my
By SYDNEY ANDERSON IHS softball is back for the Spring Season and the varsity team is currently going strong. With more games to come, more excitement and competition is expected. The team practices everyday after school, working on drills to help with batting practice and fielding. Practices are led by
By LIZZIE OLSEN The Last of Us starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey has taken the world by storm with the two’s amazing acting and chilling new take on the zombie apocalypse genre. The show is based off of the video game The Last Of Us which launched in 2013, and
By SKY STEVENS The Indiana Area Senior High School Drama Department gets ready to set the stage for yet another seat-grabbing play, “The Nit Wits,” this upcoming weekend. Opening night is this Friday, May 5 at 7:00 pm, and will play for one more night at 7:00 pm on Saturday,
By MEGHAN RUMMEL Seniors at IHS are now required to have a minimum of five community service hours completed by May 1 in order to graduate on time. Community service has always been encouraged in the past, but it has now turned into a requirement. Several students are worried about