RICHLAND 2: Schools, centers and offices rallied to make the winter a little brighter for those in need. Each year, Richland 2 schools hold canned food drives, collect toys and coats and host events to raise money to be donated to worthy causes. This year, giving ranged in magnitude and focus from collecting thousands of canned goods to benefit local food pantries to several schools that adopted students and families within their own walls. With all schools involved across the district, Richland 2 students, faculty and staff donated: 102,064 canned goods and another 2,038 pounds of nonperishable food, $14,988 in cash, 4,040 toys, and adopted 309 families/children. Schools also gave 2,382 coats, blankets and denim; more than 560 pairs of shoes; 5,066 books; and 778 stockings and care packages. Among agencies that received donations from the district this winter: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, the Children’s Garden, Cooperative Ministries, Cooperative Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, God’s Storehouse, Harvest Hope Food Bank, The Haven in the Summit, James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation, JUMPS Cooperative Program, Oliver Gospel Mission Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter, Palmetto Project’s Families Helping Families, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, P.A.W.S., Richland County First Steps, the Salvation Army, the SAFY of Columbia, Sister Care, the S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS), SC Foster Children’s Association, Transitions Homeless Shelter, Turtle Refuge and United States Armed Forces. Shown here: Donations and a winter celebration of the drive's success at Blythewood High. RICHLAND 2/USED WITH PERMISSION