Instagram: HPHS Charity Drive
Since 1994, Highland Park High School’s annual Charity Drive has worked diligently to garner awareness and support local organizations. Through their month-long fundraising campaigns, the school hosts a wide variety of events raising thousands of dollars and boosting communal morale.
As the heart of winter approaches, students are filled with excitement and anticipation for this year’s upcoming Charity Drive. Being one of the largest clubs at Highland Park High School, this year’s 2026 Charity Drive board is ready to make an impact.
“Charity Drive is a very collaborative club,” Charity Drive President, Emerson Shamberg, said. “It’s a great way to meet other students and make connections outside of the high school, because we pair with so many other organizations to make events happen. It teaches you to stay organized about planning an event, which is a great experience for the rest of high school and the rest of your life.”
Through coordinated efforts, students, administration, and community members come together to raise significant funds for non-profit organizations, hosting raffles, races, cook-offs, and more. The club emphasizes the importance of fostering a passion for giving back to others while developing the critical planning, social, and communication skills of high schoolers.
“We try to partner with local organizations so that we can make long-lasting relationships with our neighbors,” Shamberg said. “And our biggest goal is to bring our community closer in an uplifting way through all of our events aimed towards Highland Park residents, so it’s really easy to do so.”
While the club is service-oriented, Charity Drive does far more than simply host events and raise money; it unites the local community under a common goal. Citizens of all ages and backgrounds come together in support of the annual organizations, and students and volunteers work diligently and collaboratively to foster a supportive and welcoming environment for all wishing to get involved.
“We will have a calendar full of activities so that there is something for everyone,” Lisa Berghoff, Charity Drive Co-sponsor, said. “Our HPHS community knows how to come together and that is so evident during the Charity Drive. We live in such a wonderful community. I would like to see our students take another perspective and understand that Charity Drive is about stepping outside of yourself and your own needs to do something that will make someone else’s life a little better.”
As the 2026 Charity Drive approaches, the Charity Drive board aims to inspire and uplift the student population, encouraging everyone to join their initiative and making the high school, community, and world a better place.
“We want students to know that they can actually make a difference in the world,” Shamberg said. “We also want our school to think about others. Sometimes it seems that self-care has to do with taking care of yourself, but the happiest people are really the people who help others.”