During their February meeting, the members of Charles M. Russell High Student Government were honored for their hard work fundraising over the winter holiday season. 

While most students caught up on sleep, student government representatives volunteered for the annual Salvation Army bell-ringing on Sunday, Dec. 15. Mark King from the Salvation Army presented the award to CMR’s student government for raising the most money. 

To encourage participation in the event, advisors made the event a competition among the individual classes and three high schools in the district. 

From CMR, the class of 2021 raised the most money with a total of $387.39. Following behind was the class of 2022, 2023, and 2020 in last place. Among the district, CMR came in first, raising a grand total of $1,325.73. Central Catholic High school was close behind in second place  and Great Falls High School came in third. 

The Stampede newspaper staff would like to congratulate the CMR students who participated in the fundraising. Along with their support, the Great Falls community raised more than $88,000 and with five fewer days of bell-ringing than typical.

The Salvation Army used these funds to provide 466 families with food for Christmas, 465 kids with 1,400 toys, and assisted 117 teenagers aged 13-17 years old.