This holiday season, members of our National Honors Society are embracing the spirit of giving for others by adopting a local family. In adopting this family, our NHS members will be giving them Christmas gifts, essential items, and support.
Our students wanted to find a way to help others during this crazy time of the holidays, but they wanted to find a way to make it personal. They chose to adopt one specific family so they could focus on what the family truly needed. Our members and students on Haller’s volleyball team have worked together to do this. They have received a list that includes each member of the family and their clothing sizes, necessities, and a few Christmas wishes.
“Finding a local family in need. We receive their list of wants and needs for the circumstances they’re currently living in. Organize it, and then share this list with a local group of people to also assist in the donation of all the gifts to this family,” Aubrey Roberts (‘26) said.
Over the next few weeks, our community will work hard together to fulfill the family’s needs and make sure each family member has something special to open on Christmas morning. Each person signed up to buy and provide a gift for a family member. We all get together as a community and work to provide something that could be life changing for this family.
“It brings everyone together but also helps those who are less fortunate than we might be,” Brayden Jewett (‘27) said.
Something that seems so little can mean so much more than anticipated. These small actions not only make a difference for the family during this stressful time of year, it also makes the students realize how important it is to have a strong community and be able to support each other during any time. Many are excited to be helping this family in need, and hope to do it again in years to come.
“Everyone comes together to help a group of people that are struggling more than we might so it’s nice to give back,” Jewett said.
The project goes beyond just gifts. It brought the importance of supporting others especially in times of need. These small acts of kindness are so powerful for everyone involved. Our students are setting an example for the rest of our community, and giving them something to strive for by helping others.
“Projects like these are important because it obviously helps our community. And we’re focusing on one family, so we can really give our all to that family that really needs it,” Bailey Hitzel (‘27) said.
This project is teaching responsibility and empathy for others. Us as individuals really need to reflect on our actions and see how they are affecting others around us. Don’t be selfish and put others before yourself.
“It reminds you as an individual to stay humble. And also remembering where and what you’re using your money for. Instead of spending money on yourself, you could be helping out someone who needs something,” Roberts said.
