Accompsett Middle School
Smithtown, New York
Blankets of Hope, 4 students
Advisor: Michael Toth
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At Accompsett Middle School, a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of empathy, kindness, and compassion. Their project, Blankets of Hope, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need:
This team of 8th graders set out to support the homeless population by donating 100 blankets to Blankets of Hope. Their goal was not only to meet a physical need—warmth—but also to bring emotional comfort through messages of kindness and empathy.
The Project:
Partnering with Blankets of Hope, the team organized and led a 30-minute kindness workshop for 6th graders in their school. The workshop focused on building empathy and concluded with students writing heartfelt notes of encouragement. These notes were then attached to the blankets for distribution. To collect resources, the team requested either a blanket donation or a $2 contribution from participants, which helped fund the purchase of additional supplies. All completed blankets were donated to a local women’s shelter.
The Results:
The team received 120 blankets from the founders of Blankets of Hope, surpassing their original goal. Each blanket was paired with a handwritten note of encouragement before being distributed. Beyond the tangible outcome, this team gained valuable experience in event planning, communication, and collaboration with school staff. Thanks to their initiative, Lead4Change granted $4,500 to Blankets of Hope, enabling this meaningful partnership to continue at their middle school in the years ahead.
Empowering Students to Lead with Purpose
These students didn’t just have a great idea—they had the leadership skills to bring it to life. That’s exactly what Lead4Change is all about.
Lead4Change is a free leadership curriculum that helps middle and high school students:
✅ Identify real needs in their communities
✅ Develop creative solutions
✅ Take meaningful action
Just like the students behind Blankets of Hope, your students have the potential to create real change—they just need the right tools.
Bring Leadership to Your Classroom
Help your students lead, serve, and make a difference with our free, ready-to-use curriculum.
Every student has the potential to be a great leader who gets big things done. Lead4Change unlocks that potential—empowering them to see a problem, take action, and create lasting impact in their communities.
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