HMS Express-O student employees partner with Ronald McDonald House

Over the past few months, student employees of Hampton Middle School’s Express-O cart have been practicing a variety of social and vocational skills all while making a different in the community.

The HMS-Express-O, a school-based business that sells sweet treats, cold drinks, and school supplies weekly to the student body, chose to partner with Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Pittsburgh. The student employees decided to host a fundraiser to help raise money to purchase items from the RMH wish list and prepare a meal on-site for the families that have children who are facing life-saving medical challenges. 

In the fall, the Express-O student employees met with enrichment teacher, Dr. Survinski in the HMS Maker Studio to design, create and package the sets of wooden coasters. They used the laser engravers to produce the designs onto the coasters, making the perfect gift over the holidays.  

In early December, student employees, learning support teachers Mrs. Holtz & Mr. Stiglitz and paraeducators Mrs. Keller & Mrs. Garrison took a community-based field trip to the Richland Target where a portion of the profits made from the fundraiser were used to purchase Ronald McDonald wish-list items, nonperishable foods, paper products, and cleaning supplies. 

Most recently on Jan. 25, student employees, learning support teacher, Mrs. Holtz and paraeducator, Angela Foote, went grocery shopping to purchase items to prepare a lunch for over 50 families staying at the RMH. They also donated all of the wish-list items purchased in December, learned more about RMH & the families that they serve and went on an educational tour of the facility.