Posted on
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Hubbard Students Raise Money, Purchase Toys For Less Fortunate
By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer
Students from Hubbard Middle School's Teen Leadership class swarmed the toy aisles at a Tyler Wal-Mart Thursday afternoon, filling their baskets full with toys that will help less fortunate children have a merrier Christmas.
Staff Writer
Students from Hubbard Middle School's Teen Leadership class swarmed the toy aisles at a Tyler Wal-Mart Thursday afternoon, filling their baskets full with toys that will help less fortunate children have a merrier Christmas.
The eighth-graders collected more than $3,000 from their classmates and through a walk-a-thon to help buy the toys, which included everything from the Monopoly game to a Razor scooter to a Nintendo DS with Guitar Hero.
"I never thought I'd be able to spend $3,000 in one day," Zachery Prewitt said while helping pick out a few final purchases.
His classmate, Terrance Simmons, said, "It feels good to spend it for somebody else."
The toys the students purchased will be donated to the Toys for Tots toy drive organized by the Tyler Fire Department. The fire department is donating the toys to the Salvation Army.
Thursday was the big shopping day for the 12 students in the Teen Leadership class. They divided into groups, with calculators in hand, to fill baskets full of toys and to stay within their budget.
Students loaded the baskets with every kind of toy imaginable for kids ages 5 to 14. They bought hula-hoops, Incredible Hulk hands, a life-size Barbie doll, a Disney talking cash register, dinosaur toys, a football, a bike, toy trucks and even a Hannah Montana Malibu Beach House.
"They're having a lot of fun," said Denise Martin, Teen Leadership class teacher. "And they're excited for the kids getting the toys. I'm hearing them talk about it and they're saying things like, 'I can't wait for them to see this under the tree.'"
One of her students, Chad Payne, said they were "trying to think of what we would like and what we liked as kids."
Many of the students agreed it was fun to get to pick out $3,000 worth of toys.
Karli Nixon, another of Ms. Martin's students, said she felt the project was important because, "Every Christmas, every kid likes that feeling of waking up and having a present. I think these kids really need that feeling."
The amount raised by the class tops the amount raised in prior years.
Ms. Martin called it "amazing," that the students went from collecting $1,200 last year to $3,000 this year.
Part of the boost came from having the walk-a-thon to help raise more money.
"What touches my heart is my sweet Teen Leadership class, we were just going to ask for donations on campus, but they wanted to do more and they wanted to earn the money somehow," said Ms. Martin, who came up with the idea for a walk-a-thon.
"They really were excited about doing that. They wanted to earn it ... At that age, for them to want to actually work for that, that really says a lot for them and their integrity."
This is the third year for the project at Hubbard.
The Teen Leadership class is designed to teach eighth-graders "to become leaders in the community," Ms. Martin said.
"I just thought this was a great opportunity to teach them that even at their age they can give back to their community," she said.
Students said they have learned a few things from participating in this effort.
Andrew Bell, said he learned to "be thankful for what you have," and Nicola Willis said he learned that "It's good helping people."
After the shopping was finished, Karli said of the children who will receive the gifts, "They're going to have a great Christmas this year."
Giving Back
Students will deliver the toys on Friday night to a drop-off site - a home in Tyler, where Tyler Fire Department representatives will be with a fire truck.
Glynn Ray with the Tyler Fire Department said he is grateful for the Hubbard students' efforts.
"I really appreciate the kids at Hubbard, that they have taken this initiative on themselves to gather toys," he said. "I know it's bringing them a blessing. It's pretty neat to see young people do that."
Ray said they especially were appreciative of the students' efforts because, "We're way behind on our toys."
He said the toy drive has been slow this year, probably because of the economy.
"We've probably only collected a third as many toys this year as we have in years past," he said.
Other groups, including Rice Elementary, also have collected and donated toys as part of the effort, Ray said.
Monday is the last day for people to drop off any toy donations. Ray said they can be left at any Tyler Fire Department station,
He said the fire department collects toys because, "We like helping kids."
"We wouldn't have this job if we didn't like to help people," he said. "But we love to help kids."
And The Salvation Army is appreciative of Hubbard and the Tyler Fire Department's efforts.
Capt. Zach Bell of The Salvation Army said in a prepared statement, "It's really amazing how the students at Hubbard Middle School are giving of their time and treasures to pick out toys for the Tyler Fire Department's Toys for Tots campaign.
"They're learning early how rewarding it is to help others in times of need," Bell said. "What's even more spectacular is how the fire department turns around and gives those toys to The Salvation Army."
Bell said The Salvation Army is grateful for the way the Tyler Fire Department "brightens up the holiday for children who would not otherwise receive a gift or toy for Christmas," specifically noting that Fire Station No. 2 at Old Bullard and Rieck Road, "has truly been outstanding in the way they've collected toys for us."
"During these hard economic times, the need for help will become more and more prevalent. A small contribution - such as a pair of pants or clothing, a toy truck, or a baby doll will go a long way and do a lot of good," Bell said. "Last year, we distributed well over 9,000 toys. This year we anticipate distributing about the same.
"We can't thank the community enough for the way they reach out to help us help others."
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