Students, Staff Make Holidays Brighter for Local Families

Students and staff at and high schools are spreading a little cheer this holiday season, purchasing gifts for families in need.

Lincoln-Way East “adopted” 43 local families and has been busy collecting toys, clothing and necessities for them. Lincoln-Way North students decided to concentrate their efforts on a Frankfort Square family who lost all of their possessions in a house fire the day after Thanksgiving.

“It feels great when you’re helping someone,” said Lincoln-Way North senior Nileema Patel, “especially when they’re in trouble.”

“With the downturn of the economy, more and more families are falling on hard times, and the idea of service to others is more important than ever – especially in our own community,” said Lincoln-Way East teacher Betsy Vandenberg who organized collection efforts at East.

Students and staff began their collection efforts in November, purchasing items that the families requested on their wish lists.

Lincoln-Way North’s Student Council took up a collection amongst themselves last week and went shopping on Friday (Dec. 9).

“Everybody pitched in what they could,” said Lincoln-Way East senior Jason DeGrado, president of the school’s Student Council.

“That’s what we (Student Council) are all about,” he added, “community work.”

The group raised more than $200 – enough to purchase a collection of board games that the Frankfort Square family lost in their house fire.

“I believe we got everything they asked for,” said DeGrado.

Many of the families “adopted” at East requested necessities, such as food, gas gift cards, winter clothing, soap and toothpaste, said special services teacher Michael Beckett, whose students collected items for a father with eight children.

“A lot of the older kids wanted school gear to wear,” he said.

Jeans were a popular item this year, said Lincoln-Way East social worker Peggy Nowak. Several families requested them for their children.

Students said they found the gift collection rewarding.

“It makes you feel good that so many people are donating and giving,” said junior Kayley Smetana as she dropped off a gift card for a family “adopted” by her choir class.

“It makes us feel relieved that they’re going to have a Christmas,” added classmate Megan Win. “If we didn’t (do this), they wouldn’t have a Christmas.”

“Everyone needs to have a good Christmas,” said junior Pat Delia as he dropped off an armload of presents.