An inexpensive can of beans or a package of baby diapers can make a world of difference to some area families, especially during Christmas, as some Bedford County students recently discovered.

As part of their annual Great Canned Food Drive (GCFD) recently, Shelbyville Central High School students, faculty and staff spelled out with donations across the gym their 2019 theme, "A Can, Can Make a World of Difference."

SCHS students have collected a total of 26,453 of canned items for needy families in the community. Out of that drive, the Good Samaritan Association was recipient of 24,000 of the items, SCHS staff and faculty recently announced.

As a salute to the food drive efforts of the SCHS students, reader and Good Sam volunteer, Jane Willard, recently submitted a Times-Gazette letter to the editor.

In her final paragraph, Willard wrote, "Some may say the high school students of today leave something to be desired, but not our Shelbyville Central High School students. They were a credit to their school and to the community and I was proud of them. Thank you again."

In addition to SCHS, Harris Middle and Liberty School also contributed canned food donations.

New Destiny Dog Rescue, as a result of GCFD, received 889 pounds of dog food for its "fur babies" seeking foster care. New Destiny only accepts dogs into their foster program from county and city animal shelters.

SCHS also donated 700 baby items from the drive to First Choice Pregnancy Center.

"First Choice is thankful for the huge donation of baby food and diapers that we received from SCHS for our precious clients!" said center director Angela Rasnick. "The clients of First Choice will be blessed by the 700 packages of diapers and baby food that the students donated to the First Choice baby boutique."

Rasnick further noted the center staff displayed the SCHS donation poster in the office so incoming clients will know that this huge supply of needed items came from student efforts.

During the GCFD, students gave of their free time to count the collection each morning for a week from 7:15 to 7:55, according to school representatives.

The top three student contributors this year were Brady O'Neal, with 1,848 cans; Ella Cobb, with 1,736; and Mary-Alice Shavers, with 1,540. Other students making the top 10 contributors' list were Sarah Margaret Housch, Will Melson, Sarah Shearon, Karley Simmons, Hannah Campbell, Evie Winfrey and Hannah Burks.

Each year the SCHS Student Council recognizes during this time an outstanding staff or faculty member who generously gives his or her time to SCHS. The award plays off "The Giving Tree," a children's book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein which chronicles the life-long relationship between a boy and a tree.

SCHS math teacher Megan Insell recently told students how this fictional relationship is actually very similar to that of a student and his or her teacher. The teacher continues to give the students what they need while expecting nothing in return, she advised.

"As we were reviewing the names of teachers and faculty who have previously received The Giving Tree Award, we could not believe this amazing teacher had never received it before."

She continued that this hard-working individual has been an SCHS educator for 25 years, where she has dedicated her entire career. Insell advised the recipient can be found at SCHS after school, devoting her time to her students' interests as they prepare for weeks before school performances.

The gym during this annual celebration filled with excitement as obviously many already knew at this point in the announcement who the recipient was -- drama director Marla Gordon Agee.

Insell continued, "We hear her calming voice at school events and ball games, and see her smiling face as she gets the homecoming court ready for their big night. If there is a school potluck or get together, the teachers can rest assured that she will have it organized and ready for our enjoyment. This individual is an amazing teacher, coach and mentor to so many of us."

Insell explained how Agee, an SCHS graduate, "bleeds blue and gold and is the true definition of a Shelbyville Central Golden Eagle."