Hillcrest H.S. students deliver Christmas gifts to families in need

The Adopt-A-Family program by Hillcrest High School raised more than $11,000 for families and kids in need this holiday season.

This year, Hillcrest High School had 57 families in its Adopt-A-Family program, with 190 children.

The student council oversaw the whole project.

“For the past 10 years, Hillcrest has chosen all the families that are less fortunate in our district, and we provide Christmas gifts for them. I think we keep doing it, every year because its amazing,” said Madalynn Taylor, a co-organizer and the senior activity leader.

The big haul started at the beginning of November: gift sorting, wrapping and making a shopping list. The prep day started Friday, and the students kpet going all night. At 1 a.m. on Saturday, the students grabbed their lists and shopped for gifts at Wal-Mart. Then they delivered the gifts at 7 a.m.

“The students are completely inspired by this. They come and they wrap presents and its fun, and they love to go shopping for all the kids. But when they deliver, when they see how happy the little kids are and the relief on the parent’s faces — its truly inspiring,” said student council advisor Natalie Woods.

“Its like pure willingness. The group loves this and everything we give them. Not only giving them so many fundraisers and so many things they have to do to raise money — and they do it completely willingly. It’s amazing,” said Lauren Treat, a co-organizer and the senior cheer captain.

“They’re all so willing to help. they always get right on it and they put their whole heart into it always in everything that we do,” said Taylor.

“And I think also the community is really willing to reach out and give us so much,” said Treat, “They’re so generous.”

“Yeah, it’s really amazing,” said Taylor.

During the past few months, Hillcrest students put on several fundraisers to be able to buy all the gifts for the families.