High school honor society drive collects food, toys for the needy

The project focuses on the Adopt-A-Child Christmas Tree.
NORTH LIMA -- On Dec. 21, members of the South Range High School National Honor Society will be busy playing Santa Claus to dozens of area families.
"They'll be delivering toys and food," said Dennis Dunham, South Range High School principal.
"They're even helping families that need help with their utilities. It's a need we have in the community and these students are doing what they can to meet that need."
For the past several weeks the society, whose adviser is Lisa Toy, has been conducting its annual Christmas Drive in cooperation with North Lima Giant Eagle and South Range Middle and Elementary schools and student council.
The focus of the project is the Adopt-A-Child Christmas Tree at Giant Eagle.
The tree is covered with mittens that list requests made by area families needing assistance this holiday season.
The lists contain the age and gender of the child. Participants simply take a mitten and purchase a gift for the child.
Each gift, with the mitten attached to it, is to be delivered to the high school office by Dec. 16. National Honor Society members will deliver the presents, along with food items collected at the three school buildings, to the families.
Gets pupils involved
"I think this is a project the students get involved in that shows them the needs other people have, especially during the holidays," Dunham said.
"It gives them a new perspective on what the holidays are about. And it's a worthwhile project for them to be involved in."
Individuals interested in helping, but who are unable to shop for the gifts themselves, may donate to the project by sending a check to the high school office.
Also, canned foods are being accepted at the three school offices. Society advisors will purchase perishable foods the day the items are to be delivered to the families.