DALTON GARDENS — Sometimes, identifying needs in the community can start with a simple question.

Canfield Middle School mentor adviser Ginny Whiteside reminds her students in the school’s mentor program of this often.

“The biggest thing you can ask someone is ‘how can I help you?’” Whiteside told her students Thursday as they presented a $1,000 donation to Vanessa Moos and Claire Dunn of Canopy Village.

The students of CMS’s Mentor Program raised the money through ticket sales and raffles for a neon-themed school dance and game night they hosted in late January, which was attended by about 375 students. CMS teachers matched student donations.

Whiteside said when the time came last December for the students to choose a local organization, the decision to raise money for Canopy Village was pretty much unanimous.

Canopy Village, formerly known as Children’s Village, offers children and family support services including emergency shelter and residential treatment.

A chunk of the funds raised went directly to Canopy Village, while the rest will go toward mentor program events such as team-building activities with sixth graders and other schoolwide community service events.

Moos, Canopy Village CEO, said the organization needs $1.2 million yearly to provide services for children and families facing crises, calling the donation “no small thing.”

“You likely know kiddos we serve, and that’s great,” Moos said. “That’s the beauty of a community like (ours), we take care of each other.”