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These Europeans people started the
green & gold
EDITORIAL Try volunteering over the Christmas season
Dear high school students, tttttAs the Christmas season is approaching, it can be easy to forget the JOY motto of Wesleyan. The numerous distractions of Christmas celebrations, gifts, and activities can make it hard to remember to look out for those in need. It is important to not forget others who may be less fortunate during this holiday season. There are multiple ways to benefit people who are less fortunate in our community during this holiday season. Some ways to volunteer in your community are The Sandwich Project, A.G Rhodes, and Helping Hands Holiday Dinner. tttttThe Sandwich Project is a non-profit organization whose volunteers assemble and donate fresh, homemade sandwiches each week for immediate consumption to meet the food scarcity needs in Metro Atlanta. This organization started in 2020 when the founders began making sandwiches during the pandemic for those in need. Thousands of sandwiches are now donated each week for the project. You can get involved by making sandwiches, purchasing whole fresh fruit, or purchasing chewy high-protein bars. You can also host a collection site on Wednesdays for delivery to non-profit organizations. You can also make deliveries and transport sandwiches to community organizations. There are many ways to participate in this project that takes minimal effort. You have the opportunity to fill someone’s stomach this holiday season. To learn more, visit https://www. thesandwichproject.org/get-involved. tttttAnother way to improve someone’s Christmas season is to visit nursing homes. There are various ways to volunteer at nursing homes. One of the main nursing homes that I have volunteered at is A.G. Rhodes. There are “Activity Assistants,” who help run an activity session for residents such as BINGO, arts/crafts, games, social events and more. “Music Therapy,” is where volunteers help assist in a music therapy group by spending one-on-one time with a resident as they participate, “Pet Therapy,” which is when volunteers bring their pet and help brighten a day, reduce loneliness, and brings back fond memories. Pets do not need to be therapy-certified, but they must be well-trained, friendly, and good with people. “Outings Escort,” volunteers escort residents on shopping trips and visits around town during scheduled outings. Transportation to and from the outings is provided by A.G. Rhodes. These are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities provided at A.G Rhodes. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities, you can look on their website, agrhodes.org. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family memebrs to volunteer with you. The more, the better. ttttt
The last volunteer experience I will share with you all is Helping Hands Holiday Dinner. On Saturday, December 17, Helping Hands will adopt 300 disadvantaged children for their 34th annual Helping Hands Holiday Dinner. Families will arrive in the parking lot at 6703 Shannon Parkway, Union City, GA, 30291. Children will receive toys and dinner as will the parents of the children. 50 volunteers are needed to assist for the dinner. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. The form to volunteer must be submitted by Friday, December 10. The link to submit is https://helpinghandsholidaydinner. com/volunteer/online-pre-registration/. You will be on your feet a lot and the arena floor is made of dirt. If possible, wear reds, greens, whites, or something festive or “holiday looking.” Do not bring anything unnecessary such as purses, organizers, or coats (lockers or other places to keep them will be provided). Depending on the weather, dress warmer than you would if you were staying inside yet cooler than you would if you were going outside. Parking is limited, so, if possible, please ride with a friend. At the Volunteer Check-In tables you will be assigned immediately to a work area that needs assistance. This organization is a great opportunity to make a child’s Christmas. tttttThe final piece of advice I leave you is to be sure you are not forgetting about others who will be struggling this Christmas season. By giving a gift card to a salesclerk or simply smiling at a stranger, there are many ways to bring light to others this season. We are all blessed enough to receive gifts and warm meals with family and friends, but many people are not as fortunate. Each of the organizations I listed are great ways to give back to the community and help someone else’s holiday season be a little merrier.
Sincerely,
Audrey Pursell Co-Editor-in-Chief
Solve this fun Christmas crossword
Caroline Croley
Down
1. The husband of Queen Victoria started the tradition of bring a tree into the house for Christmas. 2. These Europeans people started the tradition of leaving cookies and milk out for St. Nicholas. 3. These credit and debit cards are used 6,000 times every minutes during the Christmas season. 4. This ancient civilization thought that kissing under mistletoe would bring love. 5. Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” in these many weeks. 7. The word “Christmas” comes from the word “Cristes Maesse,” which means this. 8. In 2010, a Facebook study found that the most popular time for couples to break up is this many weeks before Christmas. 9. This is St. Nicholas’s Dutch name. 14. The red stripes in candy canes represent this.
Green & Gold Staff
Editor-in-Chief............................................................Caroline Croley ‘23 Co-Editor-in-Chief.......................................................Audrey Pursell ‘23 Staff writers.................................Riley Cavanaugh ‘23, Henley Davis ‘24 ..........................................................Caitlin Bridgers ‘23, Elsa Moore ‘23 .......................................................Jack Hobgood ‘23, Charlie Rickell ‘23 .....................................................Walker Huckaby ‘23, Mason Strang ‘23 ..................................................Lauren Tucker ‘25, Elizabeth Hodges ‘24 Advisers……....................….………………………..Meredith Jamieson …….....……………………………................……….…Andrea Shupert
Across
6. 1 in 3 men wait until this day to shop for presents. 8. The first Christmas on American land was in this city in 1539. The people just held a religious mass 10. This Bing Crosby song is the highest-selling single of all time. 11. This city in Canada claims that they hosted the first “ugly Christmas sweater” party. 12. This is the country where candy canes were invented 13. This Christmas song was the first song ever played in space by astronauts. 15. This Central European demon walks around streets with chains and bells looking for naughty children 16. This U.S. state in 1907 was the last to declare Christmas as a legal holiday
Editorials represent the opinion of the individual writer. The Green & Gold welcomes letters to the editor, and reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, and content. Email greenandgold@wesleyanschool.org or place letters in Mrs. Shupert’s box. Publication address: The Green & Gold Wesleyan School 5405 Spalding Drive Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
