Senior Avid students have collected and wrapped toys donated by the Rio community to give to the students at Howe Avenue Elementary School. The Avid class started working on the toy drive in mid-October and gave the gifts on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

“I’m very excited to see the kids faces when they open the presents after all this hard work,” said senior Maddie Souther.

Students have been donating toys to their first period classes and some classes even had the chance to adopt a class at the elementary school. First period classes have been competing to see who brings in the most toys and whoever wins gets a donut party.

“It’s really exciting to see the kids receive Christmas presents,” said Avid teacher Jolynn Mason. Mason, who has been doing the toy drive for seven years now, said that the kids are always so happy and excited when students give them Christmas presents.

“It makes me feel very good that we’re able to give these kids toys this holiday,” said senior Avid student Peyton Dunn-Finch.  

Through all the hard work, the Avid students are very excited to deliver the gifts.  Senior Jenna Tracey said “It’s been pretty stressful putting all of this together, but I think it will be worth it when we get to deliver the toys.”

But the toy drive has much more meaning besides giving gifts to those who aren’t expected to receive gifts, but to give seniors the chance to give back to the community.

“Hopefully the students will understand the actions in giving gifts to those who aren’t going to receive one,” said Mason. This year’s goal is about 650 presents so each student in the school receives a gift.

“I can’t wait to be able to deliver the presents to the Howe Avenue kids,” said senior Kelsey Fletterick.  “I’m very excited.”