The Giving Tree is a long standing tradition at South, and this year Saxons had the opportunity to help!

South students were able to participate in providing gift cards for families in need up until the 12th of December. This year there were 81 tags on the tree, and that means that there were 81 students who needed additional aid. On the tags were the student’s gender, grade and suggestions for the gift cards.

“Teachers [and] staff nominate students and this year we have 81 tags on the tree. Staff and students were encouraged to adopt a tag, purchase a $20 gift card, and return to the main office by [Dec. 12],” Kathy August, activities director at South, said.

In honor of Kimberly Miller, an English teacher at South who is currently battling breast cancer, the Giving Tree was decorated with pink ornaments to support her and those impacted by cancer. The tree was also decorated with various other ribbons dedicated to loved ones that are facing a variety of health issues. Each color represents a different health struggle:

Red – heart disease Gray – diabetes Pink – breast cancer Purple – Alzheimer’s Yellow – suicide awareness Orange – leukemia Blue – child abuse awareness Green – depression White – dating violence awareness

“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, is a children’s book about a boy and a “female” tree who gives everything she has to the boy. She never hesitates to give and it makes her happy and that’s the point of South’s Giving Tree. To give back to the students of South Salem High School for the holidays. August claimed that it, “is not a Christmas tree, but rather a tree that stands for love.”

For those that could not buy a gift card, other opportunities to help the community arose.Saxons have the opportunity to be bell ringers for Salvation Army until Dec. 23. Key Club’s Fun drive ended on Dec. 9, in which they donated used clothes, new clothes, shoes, linens, toiletries, books and toys to Value village to help raise money for people with disabilities. Students also brought in new or nicely used stuffed animals for the Salvation Army and Salem Police Department toy drive on Dec. 15 assembly to participate in the first annual “Teddy Bear Toss”.