Mckinney Courier-gazette > News
Season of giving: Students celebrate holidays with generosity
Chris Beattie/Staff Photo - One by one, Walker Elementary students drop off their gifts Friday during the school's 'Winter Giving Party.' The kids brought in canned foods, clothes and games for overseas troops, the Collin County Humane Society and for less fortunate students at Vega Elementary School.
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@acnpapers.com
Thoughts of Playstation games and Huffy bikes have most kids grinning ear to ear this time of year. Walker Elementary School students are smiling for another reason.
For the second straight year, the McKinney school celebrated the holidays in a different way. Still weeks out from winter break, hundreds bounced down the halls with joy -- it truly is the season of giving.
"I think it's good we have a chance to learn that Christmas is not all about receiving," said fifth grader Mason Still. "It's about giving to others who are in need."
And gave they did. Nearly 600 students in every grade level spent Friday afternoon filling boxes with scarves, canned foods and dog treats.
As part of its year-long answer to Rachel's Challenge -- a kindness initiative in schools all over the country -- Walker Elementary chose to show compassion when many others are selfish. Kids brought in gifts for overseas troops, the Collin County Humane Society and across-town Vega Elementary School.
One by one, they dropped off their goods, donning eager smiles. They realized their generosity should provide some holiday cheer for those who otherwise may not have any.
"I think it's sweet that we're giving to other people because they need this stuff more than we do," fifth grader Lillie Eckert said, shortly after emptying her bag of gifts. She put a soccer ball, among other things, into a box labeled Operation Appreciation, the organization that will send the donations to troops from Collin County.
The school first held the Winter Giving Party last year, when students stuffed enough boxes to fill six volunteers' cars. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) organized the special party, aware of the impact it could have on the students.
"It's an amazing thing that 600 students can come together and really make a difference in our community," said Trysh Pope, PTA president. "Last year, we didn't really know what to expect, but this year, we had a ton of excitement in advance."
Boxes designated for Vega Elementary were piled with warm-weather clothes, canned foods and recipes -- things that will help lower-income students get through winter break. Walker holds its holiday party earlier than its McKinney ISD peers so the gifts can be sent home with Vega kids in a few weeks.
"We go into McDonald's and tell mom, 'This isn't the right drink,'" Still admitted. "Some people don't even get to eat out."
The Collin County Humane Society doesn't yet have an actual shelter, so students brought food, bowls, collars and anything that would help out society volunteers who are keeping orhpaned pets in their homes. Other donations will go toward helping the organization put on "All I Want for Christmas is a Bone," a program for families strained financially, in danger of having to give up their pets.
"They were only instructed to bring one thing for one organization," Assistant Principal Amanda Hurlbut said. "But the majority of kids bring things for all of them. It's really cool to see."
By the end of the school-wide bash, the boxes were again filled to the brim. Teachers and parents joined their young gift-givers in jubilation, amazed by another generous outpouring.
Students celebrated like it was Christmas morning. Their holiday cheer had already begun.
"When we were 3 or 4, we just wanted presents, but as you get older, you start realizing the true meaning of Christmas," fifth grader Evan Conner said. "It's giving, not receiving."
For the second straight year, the McKinney school celebrated the holidays in a different way. Still weeks out from winter break, hundreds bounced down the halls with joy -- it truly is the season of giving.
"I think it's good we have a chance to learn that Christmas is not all about receiving," said fifth grader Mason Still. "It's about giving to others who are in need."
And gave they did. Nearly 600 students in every grade level spent Friday afternoon filling boxes with scarves, canned foods and dog treats.
As part of its year-long answer to Rachel's Challenge -- a kindness initiative in schools all over the country -- Walker Elementary chose to show compassion when many others are selfish. Kids brought in gifts for overseas troops, the Collin County Humane Society and across-town Vega Elementary School.
One by one, they dropped off their goods, donning eager smiles. They realized their generosity should provide some holiday cheer for those who otherwise may not have any.
"I think it's sweet that we're giving to other people because they need this stuff more than we do," fifth grader Lillie Eckert said, shortly after emptying her bag of gifts. She put a soccer ball, among other things, into a box labeled Operation Appreciation, the organization that will send the donations to troops from Collin County.
The school first held the Winter Giving Party last year, when students stuffed enough boxes to fill six volunteers' cars. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) organized the special party, aware of the impact it could have on the students.
"It's an amazing thing that 600 students can come together and really make a difference in our community," said Trysh Pope, PTA president. "Last year, we didn't really know what to expect, but this year, we had a ton of excitement in advance."
Boxes designated for Vega Elementary were piled with warm-weather clothes, canned foods and recipes -- things that will help lower-income students get through winter break. Walker holds its holiday party earlier than its McKinney ISD peers so the gifts can be sent home with Vega kids in a few weeks.
"We go into McDonald's and tell mom, 'This isn't the right drink,'" Still admitted. "Some people don't even get to eat out."
The Collin County Humane Society doesn't yet have an actual shelter, so students brought food, bowls, collars and anything that would help out society volunteers who are keeping orhpaned pets in their homes. Other donations will go toward helping the organization put on "All I Want for Christmas is a Bone," a program for families strained financially, in danger of having to give up their pets.
"They were only instructed to bring one thing for one organization," Assistant Principal Amanda Hurlbut said. "But the majority of kids bring things for all of them. It's really cool to see."
By the end of the school-wide bash, the boxes were again filled to the brim. Teachers and parents joined their young gift-givers in jubilation, amazed by another generous outpouring.
Students celebrated like it was Christmas morning. Their holiday cheer had already begun.
"When we were 3 or 4, we just wanted presents, but as you get older, you start realizing the true meaning of Christmas," fifth grader Evan Conner said. "It's giving, not receiving."
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