MANSFIELD, Ohio — Piles of presents, cookies and other goodies were gathered by students and staff at Madison High School just before their break.
The goal for the Merry Madison Christmas program was to bring a happy holiday to eight families in the district.
Mission accomplished.
For the past few weeks, students and staff have been raising funds and collecting items for local families in need as part of the school’s annual program.
Holly North, a business management teacher, said the school is sponsoring eight families this year, including 23 children.
North said the students were actively engaged in helping make this year’s program a success.
“A lot of students participated through the penny battle, a lot of students participated through the canned food drive,” she said. “There were a couple different groups, NHS (National Honor Society) and Science Club, that have been selling candy grams at lunch … and all of the money that they collect from that goes into the Merry Madison Christmas fund.”
Many other activities took place to support the cause.
Laura Coey, a Student Council advisor, said members of Student Council — which includes between 45 and 50 students — went shopping to buy items for two families. Members who didn’t shop wrapped the gifts.
“The students were fabulous,” Coey said.
Juniors Jenna Messner and Kirsten Liviskie bought items for a family as part of Key Club. They said the club raised money for the items through bake sales, “a lot of bake sales,.”
“It was a blast,” Messner said of the experience.
