In this season when residents across Frederick County focus on thankfulness for all we have, students in Frederick County public schools are mindful that Hurricane Sandy left many people without basic necessities. They are taking up collections of warm clothing, hygiene products and food as well as monetary donations for those in need. Here are a few examples.

· The Crestwood Middle School student council is collecting toiletries.

· The Frederick High School Science Club is collecting money through November 16 for Red Cross relief efforts in New Jersey and New York.

· Myersville Elementary has joined with Boonsboro Elementary in Washington County to collect clothing and supplies for Crisfield, Maryland residents. In place of the school’s usual food drive, students are collecting school supplies, socks, underwear, toothbrushes and hygiene products through November 16.

· Orchard Grove Elementary is collecting items through November 20 such as blankets, tarps, nonperishable food, diapers, toiletries and winter clothing.

· Urbana High School collected and delivered donations during the marching band’s recent trip to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Donations included water jugs, nonperishable food, winter clothing, blankets and more.

· Urbana Elementary is sponsoring a drive for Red Cross donations through November 20.

· Yellow Springs Elementary is collecting Change for Change through November 16 to donate to Red Cross Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

As they have in other trying times, students and their families countywide along with FCPS employees demonstrate that they care for people less fortunate than themselves. In these actions, they reflect the positive Character Counts! traits: caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. FCPS encourages community members wishing to assist with relief efforts to contact the schools mentioned above or visit www.redcross.org .