Annual NJHS Necessity Drive Exceeds Expectations

The Nellie McCoy Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Albritton Middle School has once again demonstrated its commitment to service and community support by completing its third annual Necessity Drive—and this year was the most successful yet!

Members of the National Junior Honor Society are expected to give back to their communities by completing service projects throughout the year. At Albritton, the largest NJHS service project for the school year is a Necessity Drive: Students and staff come together to donate essential items, including clothing, blankets, food, and hygiene products, to help those in need. For 2025, thanks to the incredible generosity of the school community, Albritton surpassed the totals from the previous two years. "In the past, donations filled the back of a pickup truck," explains Dena Vassey, NJHS adviser. "This year, we filled both a truck and an SUV, with an estimated 1,675 items collected!"

Every single contribution made a difference, and together, Albritton students and staff have shown what can happen when a community unites for a common cause. All members of the Albritton community were able to contribute to the drive. NJHS members created fliers, gathered donations, sorted donations, and loaded the donations for transport to a local charitable organization for distribution to those in need. 

The drive was held as a friendly competition between seminar classes. Several classes went above and beyond, contributing in the triple digits:

• Over 100 items: Ms. Hill, Ms. Ilecki, and Ms. Vassey
• Over 200 items: Mr. Cobb and Dr. Hardy
• Top Contributor: Ms. Gill’s class, with an amazing 300+ items donated!

"Thank you to everyone who donated and supported this project," Ms. Vassey added. "Your kindness and generosity will have a lasting impact on those in need."

The success of the Necessity Drive reflects the dedication of Albritton Middle School students and staff and the spirit of service that NJHS promotes. 

In addition to the Necessity Drive and other school-based service projects such as cleaning out the Bulldog Lost and Found each month, selling tickets to school events, and serving as school ambassadors and peer tutors, NJHS members are encouraged to complete service projects in the community. Many members volunteer at Fort Bragg MWR events or in other ways that support the school's military connections. Recently, some Albritton NJHS members and their siblings, pictured below, volunteered for Wreaths Across America, joining thousands of others to place seasonal wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes. Great job giving back, Bulldogs!