AG student creates outreach for classmates
Roberto M. Esquivel | Herald-Standard
Hanna Burgess, a senior at Albert Gallatin High School, arranges clothing offered at the Colonial Closet located in the school. Burgess, with the help of the guidance department, started the “store” as a means for students in need to obtain what they need free of charge.
Roberto M. Esquivel|HeraldStandard
Hanna Burgess, a senior at Albert Gallatin High School, arranges clothing offered at the Colonial Closet located in the school. Burgess, with the help of the guidance department, started the “store” for those in need.
Albert Gallatin Senior High School’s new Colonial Closet has been a blessing to many.
The closet provides a place for students in need to go to for clothing, shoes and accessories.
High school senior and founder of the Closet, Hannah Burgess, said she’s happy to see student’s taking advantage of the Closet, and also to see participation from fellow students who are donating.
“I noticed a lot of kids wearing ripped clothing or clothes that were too small,” Burgess said of what spurred the idea. “On my drive to school, I noticed kids outside waiting for the bus without a jacket.”
So this past September, Burgess decided that it didn’t have to be that way.
With the help of the guidance department, administration and her parents, she passed out flyers and set up a large donation box in the school’s front hallway.
“Hannah is an excellent student in the classroom, but it is her compassion for others and her caring heart that makes her stand out,” said Kristen Mack, guidance counselor at the school.
Burgess was given permission to use an empty classroom in the basement portion of the school that is secluded from other classrooms as the Closet.
“This way, it stays anonymous for the students who come to the Closet,” Burgess said. “They don’t have to feel embarrassed to come down here.”
With the help of her parents, Burgess obtained clothing and shoe racks and shelves. A typical day for the young philanthropist is collecting donations after school, taking them down to the Closet, and organizing the items by gender and size before restocking.
“Whatever doesn’t work for the Closet gets donated to either Goodwill or St. Vincent De Paul,” she said.
Students may come to the Closet by the escort of Mack, social worker Debbie Migyanko, or on their own as lead support teacher Jared Plisko also uses the “store” as his office.
There are bags available for students to fill up, and there is no limit to how much they may take – all free of charge.
“They may also take things for their family; and pregnant students can take baby things,” Burgess said.
And so far, the Closet has been a success as clothes are being donated about as quickly as they are going out.
“We have a really good group of students here,” Mack said. “I’m seeing a lot of empathy that they have towards one another.”
In addition to organizing the Closet, Burgess also obtained $2,000 worth of grants.
She received $1,500 from Chevron, which she said will be used for shelves, racks, hangers and organizers. She also received $500 from the Community Foundation of Fayette County, which will be used for items that aren’t typically donated, such as undergarments and socks.
Any remaining funds for the Closet after Burgess graduates will be will be used for the outreach program in the coming years.
“It makes me happy to know that some kids are benefiting from these clothes. On my drive to school the other day, I saw a student who didn’t previously have a coat wearing one from the Closet,” Burgess said.
As Burgess is preparing to graduate, she will pass the Closet responsibilities down to her cousin, Patsy Martin, who will be a freshman next year.
“I am so happy that I had the privilege of working with Hannah, and I could not be more proud of her,” Mack said, wishing her the best of luck in the future.
This isn’t Burgess’s first rodeo when it comes to community service though. The high school senior has also donated her time to Albert Gallatin’s youth basketball team, FestiFall, therapeutic horseback riding, food banks and Fayette Friends of Animals.
She said giving back to her community was something that was instilled in her from her family.
“My whole family,” she said. “We live together on a farm, and we’re always helping each other.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact the high school office at 724-564-2024.