The BMU staff and student council made sure that Thanksgiving was magical for 10 families. Thanksgiving baskets are a 15-year tradition for the Blue Mountain Student Council. Every year Michelle Kalnins, the Student Council Advisor, receives a list of families in the Blue Mountain community with insufficient funds to purchase a whole Thanksgiving feast. Once Kalnins receives the list of families, which she keeps anonymous, the Student Council creates a list of how much food is needed: turkeys, stuffing, milk, cranberry sauce, potatoes, squash, rolls, and pies. Kalnins then emails the Blue Mountain staff to ask for any donations they would like to make–whether it’s groceries or money. 

The day before the baskets are ready to be picked up, members of the Student Council spend multiple hours outside of school baking rolls, assembling pies, and adding the final touches so that the baskets feel special. Each basket contains a full Thanksgiving feast for up to seven people. 

 This year the Student Council was given the option to continue this legacy. When discussing, Student Council members unanimously voted “yes.” Student Council member Kaydence McKean expressed, “My favorite part about making the baskets is the time spent with my friends but also the feeling of knowing we’re helping families in need.”