COEUR d'ALENE — The smiles immediately turned on as about 20 Lake City High School students poured into the Tesh, Inc. lunchroom Tuesday morning.

Fast friends were made as Tesh clients and students introduced themselves, shook hands and high-fived. Some communicated in sign language as Tesh clients enthusiastically handed the students over 100 bundled up blankets they had been collecting to assist with Lake City's annual All for AWL blanket drive.

"We're helping people out," Tesh client Tammy Netzer said. "When people don't have a home, they're living in a shelter and they need a blanket."

She said she was especially fond of a unicorn blanket that was among the collection.

"All of these blankets will go to Family Promise," Lake City junior and ASB secretary Tessa Petersen said as everyone gathered around a table stacked with blankets. "All of your donations are greatly appreciated."

"These will go to families this winter that may not be able to afford it," said senior and ASB Vice President Logan Anderson.

This was the first event of a four-week campaign during which students at Lake City and Coeur d'Alene high schools conduct various blanket, clothing and hygiene drives to deliver to nonprofits in the community after the holidays. The All for AWL campaign began in 2020 as a way for Coeur d'Alene's hometown high schools to come together for a greater cause amid Fight for the Fish spirit rivalries. The Fight for the Fish basketball games and spirit contests annually take place in January.

ErinLea Longson, a developmental specialist with Tesh, said blanket drives are important this time of year for those in need.

"For our clients to understand giving outside of themselves and understanding community and what our community does, this is part of that," she said, "loving each other and helping one another."

Lake City High School Student Council adviser Laura Tolzmann said it was fun to have Tesh's support for the blanket drive.

"It's just really nice to come out in the community and have them want to help with the big event," she said. "It's sweet."

Junior Maddie Gilmore, chair of Lake City's blanket drive, said as a student, she is extremely grateful to support local causes for a greater good.

"I think our All for AWL drive goes to show the impact that students can have in their local community and how we can foster change by giving back," she said. "As young, involved students, the value from the projects we work on is immeasurable. Just knowing that even one family will be warmer this holiday season brings my classmates and I a great sense of pride and joy in our community."

    Tesh, Inc. client Justin Cole, right, hands Lake City High School senior and ASB Vice President Logan Anderson a blanket Tuesday as Tesh donates more than 100 blankets to the 2024 All for AWL campaign, a partnership between Lake City and Coeur d'Alene high schools to give back to their community.
  

    Lake City High School students join Tesh clients for a photo opportunity Tuesday morning as Tesh donates over 100 blankets to Lake City for the All for AWL kindness campaign annually conducted with Coeur d'Alene High School.