January 10th, 2025

​TAKING A STAND WITH THE LAMPSTAND: Help Save The Next Girl is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2009 to help educate young girls and women about predatory dangers. It is based out of Southwest Virginia with 13 partners including the Roanoke Police Department and The Joyful Child Foundation. The HSTNG club was first brought to North Cross by Bailey Sanders ‘16. It is currently run by Fiona Parnell ‘26 as President. Emma Votta ‘26 is the Vice President and Millie Chopski ‘26 is a Representative. The club has been very active in the community recently and has been raising money and supplies for The Lampstand. This is a shelter for young female victims and survivors of sex trafficking from ages 12 -17. These donations and supplies were organized and distributed into a total of 30 bags that will be given to The Lampstand organization and their partnering shelter that helps women ages 18 and older who do not qualify for The Lampstand. Members of the club and other donors gathered fun supplies such as fuzzy socks, marshmallows, journals, blankets and stickers. As well as essentials such as shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, toiletries bags and loofahs. In total the club raised exactly $1,500 from cash donations and a GoFundMe. “It was amazing. I was in TJ MAXX for supplies and people would ask me what all the stuff in my chart was for. I told them and they would give me five or ten dollars right there,” said Parnell. Votta said.“It was inspiring because everybody, boys and girls, worked together to help.” Packing the bags took the entire block for lunch and over 20 people gave their time for this project.  Indira Weed ‘25 describes the event as “fulfilling” and says “Help Save The Next Girl is so important because it educates people on the dangers that women face in the world, and we are able to help amazing causes such as The Lampstand shelter!” Faculty Advisor Sarah Cocowitch is very glad to have HSTNG at North Cross because the “issues we learn about are truly life-saving” and “aren’ts something you learn in academic classes but are critical as young women (and men) head off to college.” She sees the impact the members of the club are making in the community and success they are having with their fundraisers and is “in awe” of what they have accomplished and will in the future.

---