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An Eagle Christmas: Students provide Christmas for those in need
NEW MADRID, Mo. — Gloria Houston knows some of the best lessons aren’t found in a book.
Earlier this year, Houston, a teacher at New Madrid County R-1 School District’s Technical Skills Center, urged the members of the SkillsUSA Chapter to make the holiday brighter for those in need. The chapter along with members of the Beta Club not only took that challenge but exceeded Houston’s expectations, leaving her bursting with pride and a little teary-eyed.
Thanks to students at New Madrid County Central High School more than 150 children are celebrating Christmas with plenty of packages to open. To add to the holiday spirit the students hosted a dinner for the youngsters and their families.
Prior to Thursday evening’s dinner, Houston watched as the students worked sorting presents and organizing for what they had dubbed as an Eagle Christmas.
“They spent hours staying after school wrapping presents, picking up presents, delivering ones to families who work at night and couldn’t be here tonight,” Houston said. “We want to teach them that through service, they can do great things to make a difference in the community.”
School counselors and teachers submitted names of those who might benefit. Houston explained not only did the students and their families choose to sponsor a child in need but volunteers from throughout the region joined the effort. Each sponsor was asked to buy a shirt, shoes, pants, underwear, socks, coat and one item off the child’s wish list.
While many of the gifts were for those in elementary school, some of those benefiting included the high school students’ peers. On Thursday the Eagle Christmas volunteers presented five students taking guitar lessons with their own guitars.
“The kids became very emotional,” Houston said about the presentation of the gifts. “They said that it felt so good to do this.”
Jordan Harris agreed.
“And I’ve learned that you should always give back,” said the high school senior, who was helping to set up for the dinner,
Alexie Eakens, a sophomore and president of the NMCC SkillsUSA chapter, said she has enjoyed wrapping presents and thinking about how all the children are going to feel when they open them.
“There are a lot of needy children in our community,” Eakens said. “I’ve learned that we should help more, not just at Christmas but year round.”
According to Houston, the students are already asking what they can do next.
Lessons learned.