Trojans 4 a Cure Have the Cure for Holiday Blues

The entire Pottstown High School Trojan wrestling team turned out for a pancake breakfast hosted by Trojans for a Cure to raise money for "Keep Me Warm for the Holidays" project.

Trojans for a Cure has been busy this holiday season, hosting a pancake breakfast for more than 300 people to raise money for coats for needy and chilly children and holding a toy drive on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at the Pottstown vs. PJP basketball game in the Pottstown High School gym.

You can drop off a new, unwrapped toy between the hours of 5:30 and 9:00 p.m. We cannot accept stuffed animals or toys made of wood. Santa Trojan Man will be in attendance for free photo opportunities.

In front,  Alyssa Paules; second row from left, Olivia Perez,
Rebecca Heiser, Madison Heiser, Melissa Caballero,
Jade Caballero, Ethan Caballero; third from, from left,
Buddy the Elf (Aaron Diamond), Santa (Michael Paules),
 Jinx the Elf (Anthony Wiggins)

That is if you are done digesting all those pancakes.

The team of 75 students, sponsored by high school teacher Rebecca Heiser, organized the breakfast and even convinced Santa and his elves to take time out from his busy schedule to stop by.

Pottstown High School Culinary Arts Department prepared the breakfast which included 1,000 pancakes, 20 pounds of bacon, 20 pounds of sausage, pastries, and bagels. (they had me at 20 pounds of bacon!)

Members taking part were: Kayla Wise, Jaylen Chestnut, James Coleman, Felicity Patten, Brandon Eppler, and Dylan Raihl.

The effort raised more than $1,200.00 to support the “Keep Me Warm for the Holidays” project which is a drive sponsored by Pottstown School District employee Melissa Caballero and supplies elementary aged students with hats, gloves, and scarves for the winter.

Anyone who would like to donate to the “Keep Me Warm for the Holidays” project can contact Melissa Caballero at 484-945-3871 or caballeromelissa98@yahoo.com. 

Culinary arts students James Coleman and Jaylen Chestnut 

man the steam tables during the pancake breakfast.

The “Trojans 4 A Cure” club is no stranger to raising funds for needy causes. Over the years, their fundraising efforts have supported St. Christopher’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, Autism Speaks, the Bertoti Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Relay For Life.

“It was so great to see our students working together for such a worthy cause. When I originally pitched the idea to them in September, they couldn’t wait to start planning," said Heiser.

"It was rewarding to see the community come out in such great numbers," she said. "We will definitely be making this an annual event.”

From left, Emilie Lineman, Rashell Williams, 

Gianna Kimmell and Zoe Wallace enjoy breakfast.

The Pottstown High School wrestling team showed their support with the entire team and coaches coming to breakfast immediately after their practice.


The “Trojans 4 A Cure” organization includes the following students who took direct part in organizing and participating in the event: Ashley Adams, Charaine Andrews, Mitchell Aquino, London Aquino, Cassidy Bechtel, Conor Benfield, Aaron Diamond, Ron Fausnaught, Billy Foster, Tayana Garcia, Jen Hainsey, Tiffany Hilbert, Aniya Jackson Thorpe, Emily Jerdon, Nala Johnson, Gianna Kimmell, Emilie Lineman, Katie McCoy Swinehart, Casey Mest, Will Minnick, Kelly O'Donnell, Alyssa Paules, Midori Somich, MaSofia Sosa, Zoe Wallace, Makenna Watters, Karrisa White, Anthony Wiggins, and Rashell Williams.

Photo by Melissa Caballero.

Trojan 4 A Cure officer Midori Somich, who helped sort the new coats, scarves and gloves, sits amidst the finished packages that got packed up Friday night.