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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Students Stake Claim To Hearts Of Passers-By

Ferris High School’s student leaders were left out in the cold last week.

Six members of the Associated Student Body, along with their adviser, pitched a tent in the school’s parking lot and camped out Thursday and Friday nights, hoping passers-by would feel a twinge of sympathy for their cause.

The students were collecting canned goods, clothes and anything else people would donate for the Spokane Food Bank as part of the areawide Success-by-Six program.

Though they advertised they were trying to bring attention to the plight of the homeless, the students said it wasn’t their intention to live as homeless people do.

“Granted, it’s not nice out here - it’s freezing cold - but we’re definitely not doing this for a specific group,” said Joe Bozo, a senior and ASB treasurer. “It’s just a great way to bring attention to us and to get people involved.”

One way they caught motorists’ eyes was with a string of generator-powered Christmas lights, which worked well - until the gasoline ran out.

School spirit was temporarily running low, too when a passing car tooted a honk of support. ASB Vice President Ned Fadeley said he’s gotten tired of the horns.

“We were happy to see them in the beginning,” said Fadeley. “But now, it’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. Real cool. Honkin’ your horn.”’

But when cars pulled up with bags of beans or soup, the kids couldn’t say enough thank-yous. Piled high next to the frost-covered tent were mounds of sheets, blankets, coats and food, including 12 pounds of spaghetti and two frozen turkeys.

They surpassed last year’s collection of 10,000 items, said adviser Jim Missel.

Friends and family filled the chilled-out teens with McDonald’s value meals, popcorn, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. One prankster pal even ordered four pizzas for them without picking up the tab.

The pizza delivery guy didn’t mind and just gave the shivering kids the food. “At first it seemed like it’d be easy,” said Bozo. “But the first hour, it changed dramatically. It was real cold, and we were hungry.”

Seated on cold plastic chairs, the students huddled around a heater, holding their hands to the warmth and wishing - somehow - the heat would find its way to their toes.

“It’s freeeeezing,” said Hillary Prugh, ASB secretary. “My feet are so cold. But my head. It’s sooo warm. This hat is primo, you know. But, ick, I haven’t washed my hair in two days.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: The tally Ferris High School students collected more than 15,000 cans of food, 3,000 books, 300 blankets and $200 for the Spokane Food Bank.

This sidebar appeared with the story: The tally Ferris High School students collected more than 15,000 cans of food, 3,000 books, 300 blankets and $200 for the Spokane Food Bank.