A Season Of Giving

By Alison DeMaria

Third-grade students at James H. Boyd Intermediate School in the Elwood Union Free School District worked together to bring the holiday spirit to those in the community who need it most this year, including children in the pediatrics unit of Huntington Hospital.

Students sold raffle tickets and popcorn to their peers in order to raise money to purchase gifts for those in need. They also sold “tickets” to fellow third-graders for a special cafeteria showing of the popular holiday film “The Polar Express.” Those who chose to donate were invited to watch the film while wearing their pajamas and holiday hats.

With the $1,100 raised, class parents purchased gifts that were then wrapped in class by students. The children also designed holiday cards to accompany the gifts, which will be delivered by school social worker Eric Neihardt.

Photo right: Third-grade students display some of the gifts purchased with the money they collected through their fundraising efforts.