For the second year, students at Washington's Crossing School held a clothing drive for the needy.

Northampton Area School District again partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley to collect nearly new or barely used clothing for those less fortunate.

"The kids from Washington's Crossing decided they wanted to do a clothing drive," said Dr. Kathleen E. Ott, NASD director of curriculum and instruction director of data, grants and special programs.

"The students oversaw the program across the district," Ott said.

Approximately 25 Washington's Crossing students participated in the program.

The clothing was brought from district schools to Washington's Crossing School, where it was picked up Feb. 27 by a Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley truck.

"We collected twice as much this year," Ott said.

Students in grades 7-12 from Washington's Crossing organized and facilitated the clothing drive under the direction of Charlene Belletsky.

Fliers were designed and announcements written by the students for display and use in grades K-12 in district schools.

Students at Washington's Crossing participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley one-to-one mentoring through the Service Learning Department of Northampton Community College, Ott noted.

The program, "Washington's Compass: Finding Your Direction," has helped the students find a clearer path to take toward graduation, according to Ott.

"They're learning to give back and pay it forward," Ott said of the Washington's Crossing students.