Every November, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, ILS hosts a special event called Wishbone, where students and faculty come together to give back to the community. This thoughtful tradition takes place just in time for the holiday season. The goal is simple but impactful: to help families who are less fortunate and may not be able to afford food for the holidays. Wishbone provides students, faculty, and staff with the opportunity to donate canned foods and other food-related items to fill the boxes for these families.

“I participated in Wishbone because I wanted to give back to the less fortunate,” shared sophomore Luciana Gadala-Maria.

Wishbone is organized and led this year by Ms. Rebecca Zlatkin and Ms. Naullila Soares of the National Honor Society.As the organizer of the event, Ms. Zlatkin is responsible for overseeing the collection and distribution of food, making sure everything runs smoothly, and that the families in need receive enough food to celebrate Thanksgiving. Her leadership ensures that all the efforts come together for a great as well as meaningful cause.

“I think this organization is an amazing opportunity to share with those who don’t have enough to celebrate the holiday,” said sophomore Gabriela Punzo.

The program encourages students to contribute not only by donating food, but also by volunteering. Students have the chance to earn up to five service hours by helping with various tasks, such as sorting the food, packing the boxes, and preparing them for delivery. This gives students a chance to participate, help out, and make a difference while learning the values of community service. Volunteering for Wishbone also provides a way for students to feel connected to their community and to personally see how small actions can have a big impact.

If you didn’t get a chance to participate this year, there’s always next year to get involved and make a difference in your community.