LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Christmas is just a few days away and Eastern High School students are playing Santa.

What You Need To Know

  • Eastern High School has helped the community since 1965 with its annual Holiday Care-A-Van

  • EHS raised more than $25,000, collected over 7,000 cans and donated more than 2,000 pounds of food to Dare to Care

  • Baskets were filled with everything families need for a holiday meal

  • The baskets are being delivered to Eastern students in need, nearby senior housing, the Berrytown Community Center and to families in West Louisville

Edward Kerkurla, 18, wanted to give back to the community.

He said, “I’ve been through stuff like this where we didn’t have that much food. I can understand that struggle.”

Kerkurla, a senior, joined many of his fellow Eastern High School students, and loaded 365 baskets for this year’s Holiday Care-A-Van.

“Since I have that ability to give back, I want to give back,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old National Honor Society president, Mishti Patel, helped organize the event.

Started in 1965, the Care-A-Van is the school’s annual fundraiser. Patel said the school raised more than $25,000, collected over 7,000 cans and donated over 2,000 pounds of food to Dare-to-Care. Patel said most of the school is involved in the annual event.

“During this season, we all want to be with our families and we all want to celebrate with our loved ones, but some people aren’t fortunate enough to be able to afford that. So, Eastern aims to help all these people in the community to come together, get them through the break in an amazing way and it’s just beautiful the impact that we have on the people and we’re able to help so many families,” Patel said.

Inside the baskets were oranges, potatoes, pasta, green beans and more. Each basket also had a turkey.

People worked together in the biting cold to load several school buses. The baskets are being delivered to Eastern students in need, nearby senior housing, the Berrytown Community Center and to families in west Louisville.

Breanna Madison, 18, wants every person who gets a basket to feel something special.

“I just want everyone to feel loved and just included in this season, and just know that everyone’s like, needs to have a warm and happy meal during Christmas and during the holiday season,” Madison said.

Kerkurla said, doing this brought a smile to his face.

He said, “It feels amazing. When we give the food out, we get to see their smiles. They’re gonna be happy, have something to eat for winter and Christmas.”

Student organizers told Spectrum News 1 they’re already planning next year’s event. Jefferson County Public Schools said the entire school makes the Middletown-area food drive happen by working with partners like Kroger and Dare to Care.

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