Coal Ridge High School's Titan "Needs Tree" Shines Bright During the Holiday Season

 A Heartwarming Tradition of Support and Generosity

Coal Ridge High School, like most schools, has a tradition of fostering excellence and community leadership among its students and staff. Beyond these accolades, the school's commitment to well-rounded education shines through during the holiday season.

The heart of this exceptional holiday spirit is the Titan "Needs Tree," a heartwarming initiative that began approximately six years ago, inspired by the vision of the Athletic Director's Captain's Council. Recognizing that high school students can be hesitant to ask for help, the school decided to create a needs-based program, rather than a traditional gift-giving activity.

According to Coal Ridge Athletic Director Ben Kirk, "We wanted to do some sort of Angel Tree activity at the school, but high schoolers are often reticent about asking for help. So, we decided to make it needs-based instead of simply asking for presents."

The process begins with the confidential identification of students in need. Every student is provided with a Needs Tree card the week after Thanksgiving, prompting them to reflect on their own needs, those of their families, or their friends. To protect individual privacy, everything is based on student ID numbers.

School staff then connect with each student privately to discuss and clarify their specific needs. Over the years, Kirk has witnessed changes in the nature and number of these needs. In previous years, six to eight students would indicate they needed assistance. However, this year, the Titan "Needs Tree" program extended support to over 20 families.

Kirk reflects on the evolving needs, saying, "Prior to this year, I would say the greatest needs were one-time big purchases like appliances. Most families could handle daily and monthly expenses, but acquiring items like washing machines, dishwashers, or furnaces was out of the question. This year was different. We didn't have any big item needs; instead, we had numerous kids and families requesting essentials such as food and assistance with bills. It felt like the primary need this year was simply covering living expenses and everyday life."

Traditionally, Coal Ridge and Garfield Re-2 Staff contribute to support these needs including food, clothes, and athletic/club fee expenses. This year, the Titan "Needs Tree" program received substantial donations from the River Center in New Castle and two local churches to provide $4825 in support to families. 

For Kirk, the Titan "Needs Tree" program holds a special place in his heart. 

"I believe this activity is a symbol of why most people got into teaching, and that's to genuinely help kids. Sometimes, we lose track of that with all the testing, content, grades, and more. Every year, this event refocuses us on helping students with their needs, which might not have anything to do with academics," he explained.

In addition to the Titan "Needs Tree," the Coal Ridge Student Council has once again stepped up this year to collect food and assemble holiday dinner boxes for Coal Ridge families

in need. Nine families will receive a box filled with holiday fixings, along with a turkey or ham. This annual project organized by the Student Council identifies families in need through counselors and referrals, with deliveries scheduled for the coming week.

Coal Ridge High School's commitment to its students' well-being and the surrounding community shines brightly during the holiday season through initiatives like the Titan "Needs Tree" and the Student Council's efforts to spread holiday cheer to those in need.