It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our hallways and classrooms, as Christmas tree decorating got underway on December 3 — part of “The Giving Tree” contest, a new service project that is encouraging students from kindergarten to 12th grade to give back during this holiday season to charities in our community and around the world.
“This Christmas, many worthy organizations that serve in our community and abroad are struggling due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Our new Giving Tree service project is a way that our students and our entire school family can reach out and support the work of these beneficial organizations.”
Oblen said twenty-four, six-foot lighted trees are being decorated with a theme reflecting the charity that the students chose to support. Some of the charities selected include: Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Cape May Zoo, Camp Haluwasa, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Funny Farm, the Humane Society of Atlantic County, Rio Missions, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, and the Scullville Volunteer Fire Department.
Students were busy this week making a variety of decorations for their trees, such as dog chew toys out of T-shirts for the Humane Society tree, white paper snowflakes, and mini wooden bridges for the Rio Missions tree. The decorating will be completed by Monday, December 7 and then the students will begin reaching out to family members and friends to raise money for their class’s chosen charity. Photos of trees will be posted on the ACS Facebook page and other social media. An online donation form will be provided.
The contest will end on Monday, December 21 and then judging will be held. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 23 during the Elementary and High School Christmas Chapels. Classes are competing for prizes for raising the most money for their charity and for the best creativity in decorating design. All donations received will be given to the designated charities.
