This week: Josh Crowley

Viewmont High School

BOUNTIFUL — Few local charities can claim the wholly encompassing effect that takes place at Viewmont High School each year in December. For 23 years Viewmont High School has been providing charity funds for an underprivileged school in Salt Lake City called Guadalupe Elementary School.

Guadalupe Elementary covers a 17 square mile area in a high-crime region of Northwest Salt Lake City. Fifty percent of the students live in a single-parent home, 49 percent speak English as a second language, and 100 percent are on free or reduced lunch. In 2007, Viewmont raised more than $34,000 to provide 93 students with a Christmas as well as 55 Christmas dinners to these families.

The students at VHS are brought together each year as they strive to meet their goal. Lunch time carnivals, local collecting nights and class competitions are both successful and enjoyable for Viewmont and the surrounding community. The effort is made visible by bearded faces, shaved heads and other various indications of progress toward the goal. Proceeds from this fund-raiser not only benefit Guadalupe, but also other worthy causes such as the Davis County Foundation, the Children’s Care Center and local families in need.

The down economy has affected us all, but more than anything, the less fortunate are in more need than ever. Viewmont has a goal of $21,500 this year and are counting on you as the local community to help us out. Send donations to 120 West 1000 North Bountiful, UT 84010, or contact Viewmont High School at 801-402-4200. Every little bit helps.