The peer leaders club held a toy drive fundraiser for the Emerson police department and Ukraine refugees at the school until December 13. They collected many different kinds of toys, clothes, and beauty products for kids that are less fortunate on Christmas.

The toy drive ran for about 3 weeks starting right after Thanksgiving and was open to the entire town to participate and bring in donations to the high school. Students and faculty members were encouraged to bring in donations. The goal this year was to have toys for all ages ranging from newborns to eighteen-year-olds along with having enough gifts for a sufficient number of kids.

Participants of the peer leaders club themselves helped with making the flyers to post around school, writing the announcements that were said each morning during announcements, and donating toys themselves. The toy drive has proven to be quite successful in years past. 

“Our most successful year for the drive was 2018-2019. That year the toys were sent to a children’s aid hospital,” said Emerson history teacher Andrea Nakis. 

In years past to help with getting the word out, the peer leaders have held bake sales and made public service announcements. This year the peer leaders also set up a display for the collection in the guidance office.

The school started donating to the Ukrainian support refugee program fairly recently. The organization that the club used to collaborate with, which benefited children with aids, closed down due to covid. Last week the gifts were delivered by Officer Howell and Officer Crawl. 

“Our goal this year was to collect over 30 gifts and we met it well. We were able to give gifts to about 42 children”  said Emerson English teacher Annette Loblanco.