Life doesn’t always go as planned, whether it’s weather-related disasters that wreak havoc on neighborhoods and communities, or stressful money issues. Avalanche’s Attic, an on-campus donation site for students and staff in need, was started to help deal with issues just like these.
On Sept. 29, the flyer was included in the Principal’s Weekly Update email, and in the short amount of time it was set up, the room has become filled with clothes and other items.
The Attic, which is located in room 6-204, was started by guidance counselor Erin Isaacs, after a flooding in her house made her realize that many students and staff were in need of clothes and supplies.
“I applied for wishing well grants with PTSA to get some of the racks, hangers, and bins,” Isaacs said. “The community has just been phenomenal with giving us stuff.”
Many have aided the growth of the attic, with Orlando Magic donating boxes of tote bags for students to shop with. Isaacs’s teacher assistant Riley Von Hauptmann helped with the process of organizing everything people donated, devoting hours to the cause, along with the custodian staff.
“They’ve done a wonderful job helping us, I could not have done it without them.” Isaacs said. “These donations are phenomenal.”
While donations are still considered great help, Isaac urges students to come and take a look around the shop instead. The attic has everything–from shimmery makeup and nail polish to the necessities such as shampoo and bodywash. It even has trendy, name-brand clothes and bags in an array of colors and designs. Everything that isn’t used will go to the Hope donation center and boutique, for others in need outside of school. This ensures that everything will be used and valued at some point.
“All of this is going to be utilized, which I love,” Isaacs said.
After noticing that one of her students’ shoes were old and battered, Mandarin teacher Zhenzhen Zhang decided to take her whole class down to the shop, to make sure that everyone’s needs were met.
“The students had so much fun shopping, and they said this made their day.” Zheng said. “They did a shopping haul afterward to show everybody what they picked out.”
Avalanche’s Attic is open to anyone and everyone, whether it’s before school, during break or lunch, or even after school. All students need to do is have an adult let them in.
“It shows the students that they have support from the school and the community.” Zheng said. “They can feel a sense of belonging by being cared for by the teacher and school.”
The overall goal of Avalanche’s Attic is to make sure students and staff have the resources that they need, and to provide help in more difficult times. Isaacs hopes that the attic will have a long-lasting presence on Hagerty, and that it will stay for many years to come.
“I just want it to keep on going,” Isaacs said. “Even beyond me being here.”
