Watertown High School senior Jordan E. Fox saw a need and decided to do something about it.

Assisted by French teacher Jane Zimmerman, Ms. Fox organized a food drive among the eight schools in the Watertown Central School District to collect nonperishable items for needy individuals and families.

The three-week effort netted 3,300 items for the Watertown Salvation Army and Urban Mission. The goods will come in handy for Christmas baskets and holiday meals for many local families.

After consulting with Salvation Army Capt. Evelyn M. Hopping, Ms. Fox learned that she could best help the organization serve the needy by gathering nonperishables.

So the 17-year-old went to work, inspiring the schools to donate 1,600 items in the last week of the drive alone.

While delivering the goods to the Salvation Army, she saw firsthand those who would be helped and was, in turn, inspired by the organization's activities.

This is an encouraging story — that Ms. Fox possessed the compassion and determination to lead such an effort, and that many young people participated.

It is a great example of community service — and exemplifies the good deeds that conscientious young people do, locally and across the country. We're always glad to publish such stories.