Hiller Holiday Helpers drive raises $10,000 for families in need
Talon Cain, 14, listens to music as he concentrates on putting the finishing touches on a gift.
Jeremy Brooks, 12, gets help from student counselor Dawn Miles as he found a convenient place on his forehead to hold a sticker while his hands were busy wrapping gifts.
Emma Malinak, 12, wraps a children’s outfit as part of the $10,000 fundraising drive to serve needy families in Trinity Area School District.
A new initiative by Trinity Middle School teachers, counselors and students used the draw of dodgeball to raise nearly $10,000 to provide for 22 families in the district in need this holiday season.
The “Hiller Holiday Helpers” drive culminated in a marathon gift-buying session Thursday as dozens of teens and student council supervisors Lindsay Benzenhoefer and Amber Muschick put the literal wraps on what they hope will be the start of an annual program.
“The kids raised the money through our annual dodgeball tournament with assistance from businesses and concessions. Then, we got referrals from guidance counselors and nurses who may be in need. We came up with a list of about 53 kids who would be served by this drive. So, Thursday was our big shopping day at Target to get all the necessities for a holiday meal, as well as fulfilling those kids’ wish lists,” Benzenhoefer said.
On the kids’ wish lists, according to student council members Ann Kozak, Madison Lorenzo and Bayli Miles: anything related to the Disney movie “Frozen,” a 2013 release that still reigns in popularity.
“There was a singalong purse that sings the ‘Frozen’ theme songs that I was excited to get for someone,” Kozak said.
“For boys, it was lot of Nerf and foam dart toys, and movies,” Lorenzo said.
“And Ninja Turtles. They made a comeback,” Miles said.
But not all was fun and games. Genuine necessity was behind the drive.
“We instructed kids to budget in their lists about a 70-30 split on necessity versus pure fun. So, that’s firstly toiletries, clothing and food items so the families can have a holiday breakfast and dinner,” Benzenhoefer said.
After shopping, the students in grades six to eight bustled nonstop for nearly an hour to wrap about 100 packages. Their elf and Santa hats fit the part as they shimmied between classrooms affixing tape and paper to boxes with everything from shoes and outfits to sippy cups and light sabers.
“These kids have shown such joy today. They’re just overwhelmed to be able to help and give to other kids,” Muschick said.
Teachers will deliver the gifts door to door Dec. 17.
“Everyone should have the joy of the holidays and Christmas,” Miles said.