FCCLA packs survivor buckets for lockdowns

After two years of fundraising, planning and gathering donations, Abby Gutierrez was able to finally lead the Holyoke FCCLA chapter in packaging 27 survivor buckets to have available for each classroom in Holyoke JR/SR High School in the event of a lockdown. Gutierrez began the project in fall 2020 with then-partners Rylee Oakley and Amy Mackay, who both graduated last spring. Grace Hubbard assisted her in finishing the project this year. The project earned Gutierrez a silver medal at the FCCLA state conference earlier this spring. The buckets contain flashlights; phone chargers; water; wasp spray as a long-range mace for self-defense; first-aid items such as vinyl gloves, gauze, athletic wrap and Band-Aids; and sanitary items such as hand sanitizer, wet wipes and toilet paper. FCCLA members are pictured from left, Yoselin Peña, Jimena Nuñez, Alma Alejandre, Gutierrez, Azury Chaparro, Elyce Sisseck, Leslie Carrasco, Aleida Millan, Elly Brown, Madi Clapper, Hannah Lindholm and Hubbard.