This December many students have taken the initiative to give back in many different ways this holiday season through various clubs and activities. From volunteering around town to donating to the clothing and toy drives run by the school, DV students are working their hardest to make the community a better place.

Many different school activities, such as National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, the Combo classes and many other groups and individuals have been doing things this month to give back to the community.

National Honor Society ran a toy and shoe drive during the month of November and closed the drive on Dec. 2. Fourteen students stayed after school to count and wrap gifts, where they recorded a total of 51 toys that were sent to DVES to be distributed at a holiday dinner with Santa.

In addition to NHS, FBLA gave back this month by running a toiletry drive to donate items to the Milford Food Pantry. The donation period lasted from Nov. 15 through Dec. 2, allowing the club to collect over 450 items for donation. 

The combo class took part too, with Mrs. Leslie Lordi and Mrs. Nicole Cosentino’s eleventh grade class giving back to the community by baking cookies and singing Christmas carols to the elderly on Dec. 21.

Furthermore, the annual Toys for Tots drive kicked off at the Snow Ball, where students brought small gifts for admission into the dance. Toys were also collected during school in a competition of the grades, where the class with the most toys wins an ice cream social.

A new way of giving back was created this year when senior Denali Hutzelmann approached Mr. George Gelderman and Dr. John Bell. Hutzelmann brought up the idea of giving back to the custodians by purchasing gift cards for them with donations from students and faculty to show appreciation for all that they do.

Another initiative was project “Giving Warmth,” which concluded its third year of giving back new and gently used blankets, comforters, coats, hats, scarves, gloves and winter shoes. The project was run by Ms. Elke Miller who had items sent to her from liaison teachers around the school district who collected items from the elementary and middle schools. The collection ended on Nov. 30 and the items were divided among the Milford Food Pantry, the Bushkill Outreach Program and two additional organizations.

DV students and staff spent time leading up to and including the holiday season, spreading joy through the gift of giving.