After raising nearly $6,000 from Trunk or Treat, the National Honor Society (NHS) used that money to shop for gifts for 115 kids of the Angel Tree program run by the Salvation Army.
Angel Tree is a holiday program where sponsors buy needy children toys, clothing, gift cards and other wishes. These wishes are on cards that people receive to purchase accordingly. Members of NHS got to have this experience as well. NHS adviser Mrs. Michele Okun gave each person a card containing a child’s name, age, gender, wish and clothing sizes. Afterwards, they spread throughout Walmart to shop for their assigned child.
“My favorite part was picking out the gifts for the children and knowing that they are going to feel happy when they open it on Christmas morning. And I hope that we were able to give them the Christmas they deserve,” junior Secretary of Activities Aanya Jain said. Jain bought a dollhouse and clothing for an 8-year-old girl.
This was a common feeling among members because of the impact they realized they are making on children in need.
“At this school we’re really lucky to have everything we do so it feels nice to be able to give gifts to kids who aren’t as privileged,” junior Isabella Torres said. She was able to buy arts and crafts for a 7 year-old-girl and toy cars for an 8-year-old boy.
Angel Tree shopping is been a tradition for NHS, and is one of adviser Mrs. Michele Okun’s favorite events of the year.
Three hours of shopping later, members were able to fill up 12 carts full of toys and clothes for each child. Then, student volunteers transported the gifts back to school to wrap them up. It was a successful event, and now Mrs. Okun plans to deliver them to the Salvation Army.
Senior president Alan Jith and adviser Mrs. Okun pack up the bought gifts to transport to the Salvation Army. (Photo/Adiya Mukhitdinov)
After members finished shopping, they filled up 12 carts to the brim. (Photo/Adiya Mukhitdinov)
Mrs. Okun gives instruction to students on how to buy properly for the children of the Angel Tree program. (Photo/Adiya Mukhitdinov)
