For those whose budgets are stretched, the Christmas season can feel stressful instead of joyful. “All kids deserve a fun Christmas,” William Kelley School sophomore Sierra Geatz said when I interviewed her Tuesday about a toy drive she is organizing. A member of student council, and an athlete in track, cross-country, and basketball, Geatz had an idea to hold a toy drive for WKS students. “I was like in history one day,” Geatz remembers of when the idea first came to her. She spoke to Principal Dan Johnson and WKS Counselor Jo Martinez about her idea, and when given the green light to go ahead, began planning how to make sure every WKS student had a good Christmas.
Forms were sent home with students for their parents to fill out if they were having difficulty making ends meet and purchasing gifts. These forms, once returned to the school, will determine the students that receive presents from the toy drive. From December 2nd to 12th, community members can donate toys to the drive by dropping them off at the William Kelley School office. After the drive, any extra toys will be given to the Salvation Army to be distributed to others in need of a little extra holiday cheer.
Organizing the toy drive drew Sierra Geatz’s attention to another section of Silver Bay that might be lonely during Christmas – residents of Carefree Assisted Living who don’t have family members that can come visit over the holidays. To make sure these seniors aren’t forgotten, Geatz and other WKS students will be holding a Christmas party at Carefree on December 18th from 10:00-11:00 a.m.. The fourth-grade class is making cards for the residents, treats will be shared, and students and seniors will play games.
Sierra Geatz wants everyone to have a merry Christmas, and to experience the joy of the season. So, to everyone, from Sierra, Merry Christmas!
