Student council updates drives and fundraisers; Rotary Club donates $2,035 for care packages for McKinney‑Vento families

At the Jan. 8 meeting of the Galloway Township Board of Education, GTMS student council vice president Trinity gave a monthly report and the Embassy and Galloway/Absecon Rotary Club presented a $2,035 donation to help the district assemble care packages for students and families in need.

Trinity told the board the council completed a holiday spirit week and a volleyball incentive, ran a Rice Krispies sale that "made over 130 in profit," and launched two promotional drives — a clothing drive and a Sunnyside Meadows toiletries and hygiene drive. Trinity said both drives had been sorted as of Tuesday, Jan. 6 and were scheduled to end Jan. 23.

A district presenter explained that McKinney‑Vento students (those experiencing homelessness, doubled‑up housing or living in motels/hotels) already qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch and school breakfast, and that care packages would help provide basic at‑home necessities that families may lack. The Rotary representative Rose presented a ceremonial check and said, "The Embassy and Galloway Rotary Club is honored to present this donation for $2,035 to the Galloway public schools to assist families in need within our community." The Rotary offered continued partnership and cited prior cooperation with a local ShopRite to stretch donated funds.

Board members thanked the student representative for the report and praised recent musical performances by district ensembles. The administration said it will coordinate with the Rotary Club and local partners to order supplies and organize an assembly day for the care packages.

The presentation and donation were made during the presentations portion of the meeting; no formal board vote was required to accept the donation during the public meeting.

The board moved on to routine business after the presentations and adjourned the meeting that evening.