![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Abby Johnson is a young girl with cancer and has struggled with it throughout her life. Abby’s family has created an organization to help all patients with cancer and their families.
Abby’s Army has become a beacon of hope and support for children and families navigating hospital stays in our community. Founded by the Johnson family, this non-profit organization is dedicated to making hospital experiences more bearable through donations and care packages. Ella Johnson, Abby’s sister and current junior at Athens Drive High School, gave insight into their inspiring work and recent fundraiser.
“Abby’s Army is a non-profit my parents created to give back to hospitals and make the experience of being stuck at the hospital easier for the kids and their families,” said Ella.
The organization focuses on providing support and resources to help support some of the challenges faced by children and their families during difficult times in the hospital. As this can be a financially tough time for families, the family has made this into a nonprofit organization showing the work is truly from the heart.
“We started by donating various items to Duke Children’s Hospital, but our mission has grown. We now support several hospitals and provide care packages for children who are sick and their siblings,” said Ella.
The goal of Abby’s Army is clear: to bring comfort and joy to children in hospitals by providing thoughtful gifts and essentials that can make their stays a little easier. As it is a difficult time for patients and their families, the organization focuses on brightening their days with items that offer comfort and support. From toys and books to hygiene products and personal care items, Abby’s Army aims to create a more positive hospital experience which aids in reminding families that they are not alone no matter what.
A recent charity event for Abby’s Army was at an Athens Drive football game on Sept. 6, a collaboration that turned out to be significant.
“One of the football player’s moms, who we’ve known for a while, reached out to us with the idea of a charity game. We saw it as a great way to promote our fundraiser and help Abby adjust to her new school as a freshman,” said Ella.
The event was a fundraising success and a great opportunity for Abby to feel more connected to her new school community. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. From people reposting the social media posts to being welcoming as a whole it has truly been a success.
“We received a lot of donations, which was incredible. People were very generous, and many donated just because it was a good cause. Some didn’t even want to enter the raffle—they just wanted to contribute,” said Johnson.
This strong community support highlights the collective effort to make a difference through Abby’s Army.
“A standout memory for me is seeing Abby welcomed by her school. She had the chance to run out with the football team, and her excitement was gorgeous. It’s heartwarming to see her so happy after everything we’ve been through and to know we’re making a difference for other kids,” Johnson said.
Those looking to support Abby’s Army can follow @abbysarmync on Instagram or visit www.abbysarmync.com. On the website people can donate items, contribute money, or purchase merchandise to support the cause.
In an effort to show community support for Abby’s Army, Johnson emphasizes various ways individuals can get involved. By engaging with Abby’s Army through social media or making donations, community members can play a big role in advancing the organization’s mission and helping those in need.
“It’s meaningful to support other families and siblings going through similar challenges. I know firsthand how tough it is, and it feels great to show that others understand and care,” said Johnson.
Johnson emphasizes the importance of helping families going through similar challenges. Having faced these difficulties herself, she knows how valuable support can be. Abby’s Army seeks to build a community where families feel understood and cared for.
“I hope we can expand our reach to more hospitals and inspire others in our community and beyond. We want to continue being there for anyone who needs our support,” said Johnson.
Ella Johnson has big plans for Abby’s Army. She plans on aiming to reach more hospitals and inspire others in the community. Her vision strongly highlights her family and her dedication to helping families and building a stronger network of support.
“One major challenge is managing the time required for everything. Preparing and shipping care packages involves a lot of coordination, and balancing this with our personal lives can be tough. Coordinating with the football team was also stressful, but seeing everything come together made it worthwhile,” said Johnson.
Abby’s Army exemplifies how a dedicated family can create a positive impact through hard work and compassion. By focusing on the needs of hospitalized children and their families, they are not only making difficult times a bit brighter but also fostering a spirit of community support and generosity.
This story was originally published on Athens Oracle on October 8, 2024.
