By CHRIS JOHNSON

cjohnson@messengernews.net

Fort Dodge Senior High School students will be giving their best performance on stage, and they’ll also give fans the chance to give back.

The Dodgers will perform “The Addams Family” for FDSH’s 99th annual musical at the Fort Dodge Middle School.

As part of their community service project the FDSH choir students, in connection with “The Addams Family,” will be collecting donations for the local Fort Dodge YWCA.

“I chose the YWCA for the service project this year because I knew I wanted to do something to give back to families in the community since our musical this year is about the Addams and the Beineke families coming together, so we decided to collect for the YWCA,” said community service project leader Lauren Patterson. “It’s always been gratifying to do the service project, but this year I’ve taken the lead and while, yes, there is some pressure, I know it will be super rewarding.”

They’re asking for donations of hygiene products and undergarments of all sizes to support families in need.

The items can be dropped off before the shows on April 23, 24, or 25 or at the Fort Dodge Senior High main office.

“This year since the seniors who have helped in the past left, Kyle Pederson stepped in and has been super helpful and I couldn’t have done this without his support,” said Patterson, who is an FDSH junior. “I also recruited the help of Teagan Loots (junior) this year and she’s helped out a ton.

“I just want to remind everyone to bring donations and come enjoy our show.”

Loots wanted to join the service project to help the community.

“It means a lot to be a part of the community service project this year,” Loots said. “When Lauren was coming up with the project she started thinking about places that would have a huge impact on Fort Dodge and thought of the YWCA.

“It is so important that we try and give back to our community after they give so much to us to help produce our shows.”

Pederson has also enjoyed being a part of the group.

“It feels good to try and help out the community in what seems to be a small way of just reaching and asking what someone needs,” Pederson said.