Lakeview Junior Senior High School
Columbus, Nebraska
December to Remember, 3 students
Advisor: Tara Dlouhy
Students nationwide are rising to the challenge of making a difference in their communities—and the students at Lakeview Junior Senior High School are no exception. When they saw a need, they didn’t wait for someone else to fix it. Instead, they took the lead. Their project, December to Remember, shows just how impactful student-led ideas can be when fueled by creativity, compassion, and a commitment to serve.
The Need:
Students wanted to ease the burden on parents who struggle to afford gifts for their children during the holiday season. Their goal was twofold: raise $4,000 to purchase presents for under-resourced children and create a festive, memory-making experience for families in their community. To accomplish this, they planned a vendor fair and Christmas festival hosted at their school.
The Project:
Two of the three students had organized this event in December 2023, giving them valuable experience and insight to build upon. With that foundation, they expanded the event—bringing in more vendors, improving logistics, and aiming for an even greater fundraising impact.
The team secured buy-in and approval from school administration, coordinated with donation recipient organizations, and reached out to local vendors to participate in and sponsor aspects of the event. They rallied fellow students to volunteer through school clubs, helping with the bake sale, kids’ games, and Santa station. To maximize community turnout, they promoted the event via social media and their local radio station.
The Results:
Their efforts paid off. They raised $4,700 through ticket sales, raffles, donations, and a bake sale—surpassing their original goal. The impact was extraordinary:
- Christmas gifts for over 120 community members
- Support for 47 families through the Holiday Spirit Co-op
- A TV and 50 care packages donated to the Center for Survivors
- $500 to support local student lunch accounts
- $500 for winter clothing for Lakeview students
- $200 to the Platte County Food Pantry
- $100 to the Mission House
To further support their mission, Lead4Change awarded a $5,500 grant to the Holiday Spirit Co-op, ensuring families have continued access to resources not just during the holidays, but all year long.
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 December to Remember, 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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