Hazelwood Elementary School’s gift drive brings in more than 700 gifts
December 31, 2009
By Tim Pfarr
The Hazelwood PTSA Community Service Committee produced an incredibly successful holiday gift drive in 2009, bringing in more than 700 gifts in addition to food and many other supplies.
“All of us who worked on the project realize how blessed we are,” said Jane Keskimaki, chairwoman of the committee for the second year. “We will be smiling on Christmas morning, knowing that we brightened the holiday for so many of our fellow classmates and their families.”
In 2009, there were 29 families in need with children at the school, an increase from 22 in 2008 and 11 in 2007.
The name of this year’s drive was Sweeten the Season, and families that needed a little extra support were asked to provide a wish list to the school guidance counselor, who posted the lists in the school lobby.
Keskimaki said parents and staff instantly swarmed the board to help. Several families offered to sponsor entire families, providing five gifts per person, which totaled nearly 40 gifts in some cases, she said.
Also, the corporations IS Outsource and MTG — which each employ a member of the Hazelwood PTSA — sponsored gifts for several families. IS Outsource contributed bicycles, computers and a TV.
Each family in need was also given food and grocery cards. Members of Boy Scout Troop 497 donated more than $100 to help purchase grocery cards. Angela Wingate, with Puget Sound Energy, donated 50 reusable cloth bags with which to carry groceries for the families.
Rod Nordberg, of Newport Hills, donated toothpaste and toothbrushes to each family, and Hazelwood PTSA President Erica Floyd made coffee cake for each family. With the coffee cake, Floyd donated apple cider or homemade hot cocoa mix.
“The project was certainly a team effort, and everyone involved enjoyed the camaraderie of volunteering and helping others enjoy the holiday season,” Keskimaki said.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
