This yearly holiday drive, hosted by the community service club, takes place from November 12th to the first week of December, and ETHS partners with several charitable organizations to make it possible.
“Students and staff can agree to buy a gift for an organization by donating it, and then we’ll take it to these organizations so that they have these gifts to pass out for the holidays,” explained ETHS Community Service Specialist Amissa Page.
The gifts the drive collects vary significantly. Clothes are a staple, especially winter gear, but common gifts also include gift cards for grocery stores and toys for kids.
“It all depends on what the organizations want,” said Page.
There are plenty of ways for students to get involved with this event. Members of the community service club can volunteer to be a part of the gift drive committee, students can help make labels at decorating events, and civics classes are doing outreach. It’s also very easy for students to donate.
“Students will do tabling before school, after school, and during lunch,” stated Page. “They’ll be at tables in the main lobby and near door two, as well. So if you see them, and you want to buy a gift, they’ll explain the process.”
While giving back during the holiday season is a fairly common practice, it’s important to remember the purpose. The ETHS gift drive helps both the organizations and people of the community, and works to ensure that everyone has a happy holiday season.
“It brings our community together as well as our school, because we’re all doing this big service for the wider community,” said Page. “You know that gifts are going to go to a good use and that a kid’s going to have a toy that they might not have had, or someone’s going to have money to buy groceries that they might not have had. It’s definitely good to think about other people and think about giving back to your community.”
