Number of Participants: 9
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $304
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Schools
Date: December 17, 2018
Location:
Elwood
NY, USA
About:
Fifth-graders at James H. Boyd Intermediate School in the Elwood Union Free School District spent the first two weeks of December gathering funds to “adopt” two families in the surrounding community this holiday season. The goal was to purchase items on each member of the adopted family’s list to surprise and bring them joy for the holidays.
For an entire week, students sold popcorn in the cafeteria to their peers and amassed a large chunk of the funds through that avenue. Members of the school community donated more than the cost of the popcorn out of the kindness of their hearts as well. To raise additional funds, students and staff members had the opportunity to buy raffle tickets to have a chance to win prizes that were donated for the cause.
Once funds were raised and presents were purchased, students spent the afternoon wrapping each and every gift with care on Dec. 13.
Along with buying presents for families, students collected coloring materials and books for children spending the holidays in the hospital, as well as writing them letters of encouragement, to spread some holiday cheer.
“Not everyone gets to enjoy the holiday’s like most of us do,” said student Kylie Meehan. “It’s so special to be able to help those less fortunate and maybe take their minds off of the hard things they’re going through, even for a little while.”