Schools
Orefield Middle School Students Help Those In Need
Project originated with a reading of "A Christmas Carol."
Seventh-grade students from Orefield Middle School got into the holiday spirit---a spirit of giving---when they spent Tuesday afternoon wrapping hundreds of gifts for "adopted" families who otherwise wouldn't have a very merry Christmas this year.
The school cafeteria was awash with festive paper, ribbons and bows, and was buzzing with excitement as the 7th-graders made short work of their task. Most every table was filled with gifts earmarked for nine families who have fallen on difficult times. The nine recipient families include a total of 29 children and 15 adults.
In its third year, the project originated during a discussion of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol in Jennifer Lundberg's English class. Lundberg pointed out that her students were fortunate to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, and that lots of other kids aren't as lucky.
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I said we don't live in a Third World country, but there are many children right here in the area who won't have a very nice holiday," she said. That ignited a spark in her students who decided they wanted to do something to make the season brighter for those less fortunate. "They wanted to do something, but I wasn't sure how to even begin," she added.
Luckily, a friend of Lundberg's had some ideas. "I called her and asked if she could help, and she was happy to lend a hand. That first year, we had only two families. This year, there are nine."
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Each family is screened to assure they meet certain criteria, including economic need, in order to be adopted.
Students and school staff donated all gifts and cash. Lundberg says the project received more than $600 this year, which was used to purchase gift cards from local supermarkets so recipients can also enjoy a holiday meal.
Names of the chosen families are confidential. Only a first name and family statistics -- number of children and their ages -- are provided. Gifts are divided according to the information Lundberg receives. After everything was wrapped and bundled to go to their respective recipients, Lundberg took inventory and said each child should wake up Christmas morning with 5-6 to presents to open --all thanks to the elves from Orefield Middle School.