SSHS Leos hope to pay it forward

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan High School Leo's Club has been busy serving the community this holiday season and hope to pay forward the kindness Seeley Lake received during the Rice Ridge fire.

The Leos held a turkey drive to support the Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank again this year on Nov. 16. They collected donations and turkeys at Cory's Valley Market and Rovero's. Their efforts raised $743.56 and six turkeys to support families in need in the area.

"These kids are doing their part," said Lion Mary Stone, SSHS Leos Club advisor.

Through Dec. 5, the Leos Club is holding a drawing to raise money for the communities in California affected by the devastating wildfires. The winner of the drawing will receive a crate full of gifts to entertain friends and family that were donated by the members of the Leos Club.

Last year when Seeley Lake was evacuated because of the Rice Ridge wildfire, the food concessionaire at the fire camp made a generous donation to the SSHS Leos Club. The students came up with a way to pay it forward. The LEOs club will match the amount raised up to $750. The donation will be sent to the Chico Breakfast Lions Club and used to purchase gift cards to distribute to evacuees.

Tickets are $6 each or two for $10. Leos will be selling tickets during SSHS's lunch period Nov. 26-29, Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. Community members can purchase tickets at the high school. The drawing will be held on Dec. 5 at 12:30 p.m.

SSHS Leos Club senior member Autumn Morse said, "We are a community that knows how devastating a wildfire can be for everyone. So we think it would be good to donate to the people in Northern California while they are in need."