The Alliance For The Children is a non-profit organization that Neuqua has been supporting for over 25 years. Mrs. Mueller, who passed away in 2023, was the teacher who started the Alliance charity at Neuqua Valley and for the last two years, the Science Department has taken over the charity drive in her name. This organization helps children and families who live in poverty, especially in the regions of Buchanan County, Virginia, Pike County, Kentucky, and even the children in the Prairie Children Preschool in our own Indian Prairie School District 204, can  receive something special around the holidays. The families that are helped are chosen by the teachers and principals of the local schools in the Appalachian region.  Through the first few weeks of December, tags with a child’s name, gender, age, and holiday wishlist on it are sent to Neuqua. The majority of the items that are purchased on the holiday wishlist are simple necessities, such as socks, pants, shoes, shirts, underwear etc.  According to Science teacher, Mrs. Kinnell, one of the main teachers who support and help organize the charity at Neuqua, “Around 500-600 students and teachers participate in the tag drive. The Interact club also very generously provides fleece blankets to the Alliance charity every year as well.”  While Mrs. Kinell has never delivered the gifts to the schools, as she’s only been a part of the program for a couple of years, she does love that “the gifts are given  in an unwrapped bag to the school, which then allows the parents to pick them up and wrap them for their children. This allows the children to have that special Christmas morning experience with their families.” The Alliance For The Children is an organization that is also looking toward spreading more awareness on helping individuals and families in need. Mrs. Kinnell expresses that, “the best way to spread awareness is to talk about it with your peers. Get a group of friends together to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or other charity. We are fortunate to live in this community and have an opportunity to help others in need.” As individuals, and a community as a whole, one can do their part by providing for a family or child in poverty by supporting and participating in the Alliance For The Children organization this year.