“Giving tree” grows young students’ focus on charity

A.W.B. program provides gifts to approximately 100 youths in 38 families.

With Christmas less than two weeks away, student and faculty efforts are well underway at A.W. Becker Elementary School to ensure a happy holiday season for all.

The school’s Holiday Assistance Program will provide gifts to 38 families with approximately 100 youths, said Denise Mulligan, one of the coordinators of the annual effort.

“We never turn anyone away, so there could be more who have yet to contact us,” Mulligan said.

The most visual symbol of the charity drive is “Andrea’s Giving Tree” - an artificial Christmas tree that stands in the lobby of the school and is named for school custodian Richard Vadney’s daughter, who passed away several years ago after a courageous battle with cancer. She was an elementary school student in RCS at the time.

The tree is decorated by students daily with donations of mittens, scarves, and hats that they bring from home to be donated to the Holiday Assistance Program.

Appeals for donations of new toys and other gift items, as well as gift cards, were sent home to parents recently and they will provide the bulk of the goods that are packaged and donated to the needy families, Mulligan said.

Additionally, fellow coordinator Patti LeFevre said, teachers encourage their students to take any money they would have spent on teacher gifts and instead donate it to the holiday appeal.

“It’s truly a community- and school-wide effort to help those who are less fortunate,” said Mulligan