Denver Gazette Recognized Wilder Student and Arapahoe High School for Blanket Drive

The Denver Gazette did a story on May 18 recognizing Wilder student and cancer survivor, Grey Giannotti, and her work with Arapahoe High School as their Wish Kid. Grey has been saving and planning for three years with some pretty big ideas. In mid-May, she, her family, and some students from Arapahoe handed out blankets, water, and toys to locals in need as part  of “Grey’s Blanket Drive.” As part of their annual “Wish Week” program, AHS students raised over $24,000 dollars to send Grey and her family to Disney World and donated hundreds of blankets to Grey’s Blanket Drive.

This is amazing work, and we are so proud to have such caring and thoughtful people as part of our LPS community.

 

Text of article posted below with permission from The Denver Gazette

 

LITTLETON — For more than three years, 8-year-old Grey Giannotti has been saving every penny of her birthday, Christmas and even tooth-fairy money for something big.

At first, the cancer survivor wanted to help her father, Joshua, retire at an early age. After realizing that wasn't possible, Grey shifted her focus to helping the homeless in her community.

But her new goal of purchasing a home for each local homeless resident was a bit too lofty. So, Grey pivoted again. On Tuesday, she, her family and around a dozen students from Arapahoe High School hit the cool, damp streets to hand out blankets, water and toys to locals in need.

"It's been raining and snowing a lot lately, so I just want to make people that are homeless not freeze to death," Grey Giannotti said.

Even though Grey and her family have been saving up for blankets for the homeless since 2018, "Grey's Blanket Drive" would not have been possible without Arapahoe High School.

With help from students at Arapahoe High School, eight-year-old Grey Gianotti collected blankets to donate to people experiencing homelessness in the Denver area.

Last month Warrior students and staff were introduced to Grey for their annual "Wish Week," which raises funds for a Make-A-Wish Colorado child to achieve their goal. Throughout the week the high school not only managed to raise over $24,000 to send the Giannottis to Disney World for a week adventure — Grey's dream — but also donated hundreds of blankets to Grey's cause.

"We decided to start a blanket drive (to) kind of see where it took us, and it ended up being far more successful than we thought," said Arapahoe senior and student body president Matthew Becker. "Donating them and actually being face-to-face with people and getting to hear their stories and see them in person is what we know Grey loves, so in the spirit of Grey, we thought today was a great way to do it."

The Giannottis and students grouped up and drove across Littleton, the south metro and Denver on Tuesday, looking for people in need.

The Giannottis stopped on the side of the road to hand someone a blanket and water in Littleton. At other places like the area near East Colfax Avenue and Interstate 225, they pulled into a parking lot and walked several blocks in the drizzling rain to offer resources to three individuals they saw on the off-ramp.

Eventually the family wound up near Children's Hospital Colorado, where Grey endured eight months of hell — chemotherapy, endless doctor's appointments and the collapse of one of her lower vertebrae.

This time, however, the situation was happier. The family was making a donation at the Aurora Day Resource Center, which helps anyone who is homeless, regardless of the situation, said Jason Goertz, the volunteer coordinator for Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, which operates the center.

"It's super inspiring to us and brings us a lot of hope and joy that this little girl and her family are thinking of and willing to help a population that is usually pushed to the margins of society," Goertz said.

"Grey's Blanket Drive" wasn't only inspiring to those receiving the donations — it was also inspiring to the students, teachers and community members involved in Grey's mission.

For many of the students, it meant getting outside of their comfort zones for a couple of hours to care for "forgotten people."

"It's easy to kind of get stuck in our own little bubble," Becker said. "It's important to acknowledge and embrace the diversity and cultures that we have around town."

In sum, Grey, her family and the students handed out hundreds of blankets and resources Tuesday. But her mission isn't complete. Grey plans to continue to save up her money for more blankets to hold future events.

"This is a really rare situation where the wish kid gives back to the community in such a huge way," said Daria Meske, senior class treasurer. "Gatherings like these really help us see what a difference we can make in our community."