December has started, meaning people are running to stores and ordering items online in order to finish their Christmas and holiday shopping lists, but they also have to acknowledge the many other families that cannot get a Christmas every year. 

It is an annual tradition to have a Giving Tree set up in the lobby, and this year’s tree is decorated with twinkling lights and laminated lists.

If you’ve also stopped by the Guidance Office, you may have also noticed the table of toys along one of the walls.

Question: Where does it all come from?

Answer: Us.

The charity runs under the Ronald McDonald House Charities, where they ask for our school to collect as many of the requested items as possible before sending them out to families in need. 

For this year, the Student Council has decided to make the charity a contribution to the Cavo Cup! Each grade has been assigned specific items to bring, and the most items from the winning grade will get a point toward the Cavo Cup. 

If you are interested in participating, please have your contributions in your grade’s donation box before December 4th. 

As for the Guidance Office’s toy drive, the Emerson Police Department annually collects any unopened and unwrapped toys to warm the hearts of children in need.  Of course we want to help bring a smile to someone’s face!

Mrs. Martinucci admitted, “It’s so easy to bring a little cheer to someone, but we tend to get wrapped up in our own worlds.  A smile, a small gesture… We take so much for granted, and to think that we can make someone’s holiday brighter just by dropping off a pair of gloves, a doll, or even some nice body wash or moisturizer. It makes me thankful for what I have, and grateful that we have ways to share what we have with others.”

Christmas is about giving, but not everyone can afford to give a gift, so it is important to help anyone in need before the holiday season arrives. 

Help give the gift of giving by giving of yourself!