With wrapped packages of Spiderman bed sheets and character themed slippers, math teacher Jean Willan delivered a bit of hope to a family in need. Because of the generosity of three homerooms, eight children and three mothers have something to unwrap on Christmas morning this year.
Social Studies Department Chair Jake Hollin’s, science and math teacher Susan Kraft’s, and Willan’s homerooms joined the Adopt-A-Family program and donated toys and food store gift certificates to help spread Christmas cheer.
According to Willan, Adopt-A-Family has been a time honored tradition at JC since her oldest daughter started as a freshman in 1994. “When I started teaching here, nearly every homeroom participated or joined with another homeroom [to participate],” said Willan.
Willan’s sophomore homeroom this year sponsored a family with two young boys, a baby boy, and a mother. “It’s always easier when you have little kids [in the family]. It’s easier to see the needs of little kids as opposed to kids [the same age as students],” said Willan. The mother mentioned that the boys were particularly fond of Spiderman, so Willan and her homeroom students tried to find items that the boys would need with a Spiderman themed.
Adopt-A-Family asks participants to provide at least a Christmas meal for the family and at least one toy per child under the age of eight. “We try to take care of some of the basic needs and things that will last, too,” said Willan. Willan asked her students to focus on bringing in presents for the children.
As for the meal, Willan credits fellow math and science teacher Joseph Iacchei as being an instrumental part of the family’s Christmas. “The last several years, Mr. Iacchei has been giving gift certificates to grocery stores,” said Willan.
By covering both the necessities and the frills of Christmas for the families, Adopt-A-Family aims to brighten everyone’s holiday. “[The goal is] bringing a nice Christmas to the whole family, including some toys for the kids so they have a Merry Christmas,” said Willan.
Students in Kraft’s junior homeroom led the initiative to bring Christmas to their adopted family. Led by juniors Dan Froehlich and Sara Griffin, Kraft’s homeroom supported a family with three young girls and a mother.
Froehlich’s sentiments focused on how the little girls would feel on Christmas morning. “I know that I would be devastated if I did not have any Christmas gifts when I was younger. I felt that this would be a great thing to do, and that it would make a difference in the young girls’ lives,” said Froehlich.
Griffin and Froehlich delivered the presents to the family personally, but were surprised when they met the family. “The entire week before delivering the gifts, Dan and I were both really excited. When we got to the house, we couldn’t wait to see the look on the mother’s face. Her reaction wasn’t what we thought it would be. She didn’t seem as excited as we [expected]. It was a little disappointing, but we were still happy to be able to help someone out,” said Griffin.
Hollin’s senior homeroom met the challenge with enthusiasm and liked that they knew exactly who their charitable acts would be helping. The family they sponsored had two sons and a young mother. “It was pretty cool giving back to a family in need because you actually knew who you were giving it to. I think it’s always good to remember what Christmas is really about and take a moment out of shopping and focusing on the material stuff to help out someone less fortunate than [ourselves.] We are all really blessed and helping out a family in need, especially one with young kids, helps remind us of how lucky we all are,” said senior Morgan Salkowski.
Sophomore Talia Kahoe emphasized that Adopt-A-Family not only helps families in need, but gives students a sense of satisfaction as well. “It makes me feel good because I know that others don’t have what we have,” said Kahoe.
Seconding that thought, sophomore Taylor Hooper said, “around the holidays, it makes us feel good to be able to give gifts to people other than just our families.”
“Because we know the little kids’ situation, it feels good to be able to help out. And to see the presents under the tree, it really [just] feels like Christmas,” said sophomore Meghan Joseph.
Katie Clarke can be reached for comment at [email protected].