Holiday Giving Shop - Students seeking holiday donations
Emily Asche, Samantha Wiedner and Carissa Moyna show some of the items that have already been donated to the Holiday Giving Shop.
By Pam Reinig
Register Editor
Believing it’s better to give than receive—or at least as much fun—a group of Central students is helping their classmates give gifts to the adults in their families.
Several members of the National Honor Society, Torch Chapter, are organizing a Holiday Giving Shop using items donated by an Upper Iowa University sorority and others. Students who want to give a gift to an adult family member will be able to select something before the school goes on its holiday break.
This is the second year for the giving shop. Last year, only younger children were invited to shop. This year’s event will be open to any student who self-identifies their need to Central counselor Jane Metcalf, or another school staff member or teacher. At-risk students who receive holiday gifts from the UIU sorority will also be included.
Senior Emily Asche was involved in the project last December and said it “was fun to watch people picking out their gifts.”
“I loved seeing the kids’ faces light up as they took their gifts with them,” added senior Carissa Moyna, who was involved last year and is helping with the Holiday Giving Shop this year, as well. “Watching them choose a gift and then listening as they explained why they chose that gift for that person just made me feel good.”
The Holiday Giving Shop is just one example of community service projects undertaken by Central NHS members. The group also organizes the school’s annual Veterans Day program and has sponsored Red Cross blood drives. Visits to the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City is also part of their service work. The giving shop grew out of a brainstorming session with office staff.
“NHS members can select projects they want to work on,” said Metcalf. “The group of students involved with our giving shop met November 18. Information was posted (on Facebook and the school’s website) starting November 20th. The students have also been using email and direct contact to get the word out. Donations will be accepted until December 11.”
Donations can be left at the school’s business office. In addition to gift items for adults, donations of wrapping supplies are also welcome.
“This year, the shop is open to all students and there’s no cost to them because everything is donated,” said NHS member Samantha Wiedner, “so we’re hoping to get lots of things for them to choose from.” Some of her gift suggestions were candles, lotions, socks, games, puzzles, kitchen utensils, picture frames and small tools.
