A group of high school students in Chilliwack are hoping to bring some Christmas cheer to fellow schoolmates and they’re asking for the community’s help.
Grade 12 Chilliwack secondary (CSS) students Tamara Olive, Ana Paula Truqui and Denisa Ahmeti have taken on their school’s annual Fill-A-Stocking initiative as part of their English class project.
They’re in the midst of filling about 20 to 30 stockings with gift cards, hygiene products, goodies and more for CSS students in need and their families.
“We help make the holidays a special time for around 30 families every year,” Olive said.
They’ve already collected many items from students, staff and local businesses. They’re also doing pizza sale fundraisers and a bottle drive.
Fill-a-Stocking was started five years ago and has been a success every time, Olive added.
The names of the students are submitted anonymously by teachers who see a need for the student and their family.
Each stocking contains about $150 worth of items for the students’ entire family. There are so many items for each family – such as hair accessories, gift certificates for pizza and movie theatre gift cards – that they will overflow into boxes and bags.
Olive, Truqui and Ahmeti are now asking the public for donations.
“We’re hoping with more (donations) we can reach out and help more families,” said Truqui, as there are more than 30 students in need at CSS.
Folks can drop off donated items – such as grocery store gift cards, jewelry, hygiene items, as well as cash and items for their bottle drive – at the main office of CSS until Tuesday, Dec. 7.
“We hope this bag of goodies will bring something special to deserving families during the holidays,” Olive said.
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