H.O.W.L.

OEHS is Helping Our Wolves with Love 

In November of 2007, Oswego East High School started the H.O.W.L. program (Helping Our Wolves with Love), a fundraising campaign to support students whose holidays may be afflicted with financial hardship.  For some families, the holidays can be overwhelmingly stressful, lonely, and financially taxing.  Modeled after the United Way “Forgotten Teens” program, H.O.W.L. is an opportunity for the Oswego East student body, staff and community members to join forces and remember those teens in need.  Teens from the ages of 15-19 are typically the age group most forgotten during the holiday season.  This includes many students in the District 308 community whose families do not have enough money or resources to provide gifts for the holidays.  

Over the past several years, Oswego East has planned various fundraising events.  H.O.W.L.’s most longstanding and successful fundraiser has been “Donut Days”.  Dick’s Mini Donuts has been hosting “Donut Days” at Oswego East during times such as early release days, parent/teacher conferences, Open House, and Freshman Preview Night.  Dick’s Mini Donuts is also at each home football game. 

The money raised each year is distributed to Oswego East students in gift card form during the holidays.  The number of recipients has varied over the years and has ranged from 53-98 students.  Since inception we have been able to gift nearly 500 students!  Providing gifts for those students has been an amazing accomplishment, however there are so many more students and families that could benefit from this program with the continued help from the OEHS student body, staff and community.  

If you would like more information or to assist with the Oswego East H.O.W.L. program, please feel free to contact Brianne Kalusniak, Oswego East Social Worker, at (630)636-2244 or bkalusniak@sd308.org.