For over 30 years, Weber High has been uplifting the community through Quarters and Cans. It’s a recurring event that happens every year around Christmas. Quarters and Cans is about giving to those who are in need, and anyone can donate. Local businesses will put out a can with Weber High on it for people to donate. Students and faculty members can donate at the school, and giving donations is one of the most rewarding and selfless acts of kindness that one can do.
Weber High’s Quarters and Cans goal was $55,000 in 2023, and they succeeded the total amount raised was around $58,300. The money raised goes directly to people in the Weber High Boundaries who are in need, which can help put money towards basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and medical expenses. Money also plays a significant role in education. It enables us to pay for school fees, buy books, and access other educational resources. The money can also go to things like Christmas presents since it can be hard to afford gifts on top of other burdens. Donating can increase awareness about the problem and get more people involved. Donating to others in need can and does better the lives of people who need support.
The impact of Quarters and Cans can not only help others but it can help the people who are giving. “Service gives you perspective and Gratitude, “ says Indiana Plant, SBO. “ It helps you feel more whole.” When you give away things for those in need, it encourages others to do the same. If a parent gives to a charity and kids see, it helps teach them the importance of giving to those in need. It has also been studied that by giving many people become more thankful and have greater overall happiness. Researchers have found that the more people donate the higher the levels of oxytocin increase. Oxytocin is a hormone that has been shown to reduce stress and boost mood. “No one has ever become poor from giving.” — Legendary writer Anne Frank
One of Weber’s High school officers, Ben Peterson, a senior. When asked about his favorite activity that helped raise money says, “The pickleball tournament or the dodgeball tournament. It was just fun to take initiative and see everyone come together, being teams and just enjoying time with just a little competitive challenge with other students in the school.” In the end, we raised around $58,300. We asked him if he thought that we would make the goal of $55,000. He said, “At first I was kinda hesitant because we have a new Quarters and Cans advisor and stuff changing with the principal. I was really thinking we would not raise as much money as we did last year, so at first I didn’t think we would reach the goal of $55,000, but as we went on and the few weeks went in I was confident that we would reach the goal. So I wasn’t surprised in the end that we reached our goal. I’m just happy that we were able to raise money to help families in this community.” The money raised helped multiple families. We asked him how many people were helped and he said, “What we heard from our advisor is we helped a total of 15 families, with either just helping them pay money for medical bills, or us buying presents to give to them for them to enjoy the Christmas activities.”
Donating brings us closer to the society we want to live in: Positive, peaceful, and equal. Real change takes work, and it can’t be done alone without the help of others. Donations help others who are in need and help work towards creating a society that benefits everyone. That’s why every bit counts. People could never know if someone needed just a little more but didn’t have it. “Quarters and Cans is about making people happy,” says Plant. “I’m confident we brought more happiness to our school and community.