It is that time of year again. The halls are filled with happiness as Christmas break awaits us. As the holiday approaches, some students are spreading the Christmas cheer by giving up their time for great causes. For some, giving back is a great new adventure. For some, it is a tradition done with families. Both giving and receiving have huge rewards. Being able to make someone’s day and having your day made by others is amazing.

Giving back for the holidays can be done in many different ways, big or small.  Liberty High School has partnered with Liberty Parks and Recreation to help with the volunteering opportunity, Snow Squad. The main goal of the Snow Squad is to designate volunteers to households of elderly people or disabled citizens. These volunteers will be in charge of removing snow with an accumulation of 2 inches or more from areas near a volunteer’s assigned household. Snow removal areas vary; sidewalks so their mailbox is accessible, driveways cleared for Meals on Wheels.

“I think this is great for our elderly members of the community because they’re able to leave their homes if needed,” English language arts teacher Laura Hartman said. “Also, Meals on Wheels, if someone needed to deliver something, they could do that.” With out volunteers the service program would not be possible.

“The snow squad is dependent on volunteers. By pulling together as a community, we are serving individuals who otherwise may be snowed in and unable to access essential
resources,” Liberty Parks and Rec Community Service Manager LeAnn Lawlor said.    “Often we have more homeowners requesting assistance than we have volunteers. The need for volunteers is vital to the success of this service.”

When signing up, know you will be giving these homeowners your much-needed time and that it will be very much appreciated. Only sign up if you know you can be depended on when the rough weather comes. To volunteer get an application in Laura Hartman’s office or from Penny Ward in the main office.

There are many different opportunities for groups to serve. Fellowship of Christian Athletes gave back by volunteering for Operation Christmas Child at Pleasant Valley Church. This is a service opportunity where shoeboxes are filled with toys and basic necessities for kids in other countries.

“It’s non-profit and they could be making a lot of money by saying you have to turn in five dollars with each box,” senior Tim Gibson said. “They cover all of the costs and they get a lot of donations in the end. I love that they give to the kids that don’t get anything in the first place.”

This is the first year Operation Christmas Child has had a drop off in Kansas City.

“We packed the boxes, packed the shoe boxes into bigger boxes and we filled up a really big trailer with all of those boxes,” sophomore Carla Ross said.

FCA wanted to be a part of this service opportunity for a few different reasons. “[We wanted to be a part of Operation Christmas Child] to make a few kids’ days, but also to help out the church who needs volunteers to transport those things,” chemistry teacher Ryan Brewer said. “It takes a lot of people to make it happen. It helps us grow our character and make us more willing to serve through service.” Senior Chase Chapman agrees.

“I like having a community of people that believe in God and want to do so respectfully and meet together for the same purpose,” he said.

Students Give Back

Although one would think that students love to receive presents and only give as an obligation, these students say otherwise. “I prefer giving because I’d rather make things for others,” sophomore Kaylee Hoeflicker said. “I’m more of a giver than a receiver.”

Students participate in activities both in and out of school. “I usually go to ring the bells at different Price Choppers and stores to help collect money for the Salvation Army,” freshman Malissa Pennington said. “And at my church, I collect food cans and I package them and I take them to our food pantry and I just do different things to give back to the community.”

The majority of students responding to the poll agreed with Hoeflicker and Pennington, saying that giving is something they do during the holidays, even if it’s not necessarily a lot. However, there was a minority saying that giving wasn’t part of their holiday, whether it is because they don’t feel giving during the holidays is any different than any other time of the year or just because they don’t have the time.

The Liberty Community Christmas Tree Program

The community does many things to support those less fortunate during the holidays. The Liberty Community Christmas Tree program organizes food drives and helps families around the city of Liberty who can’t provide for their family over the holiday. Many members of the city are involved, whether it be through collecting food, volunteering to sort and deliver the food, or adopting a family for the holiday to buy gifts for. In fact, many students at LHS are involved, whether they know it or not. The canned food drive at the end of November collects food for the program, which in turn gives the food to families who will benefit from it.

“It’s a very satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding experience to help out other families, especially the children when you see their faces when you deliver the presents or take them shopping to get something they need,” Liberty Community Christmas Tree board member Amy Abbiatti said. “[It’s] very fulfilling and it’s why I participate.”

Thanks to all these different volunteering experiences, people who may not be able to provide for their family over the holidays get the chance to a merry Christmas, the community unites and students help others through giving time, food and even something as simple as snow removal.