BOUNTIFUL—The media center at Viewmont High was transformed into a Christmas Tree Festival on Monday night as part of Vikings Give, a group at the school that has been raising funds to help grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. 

“There are 6,400 in Davis County alone,” said SBO Vice President Grace Bolinder. “There are 21,000 in Utah. It's our second year helping grandfamilies – it’s a great organization.”

The trees were auctioned off with the proceeds going toward their goal of raising $50,000, she said. “We’ve already raised $30,000 in seven days and we’re hoping to get the rest in the next few days.”

Bolinder said they’ve raised funds at carnivals held at the school and a “save or shave” contest. “Students can pay to make SBO officers shave their heads. Whoever gets the most money gets to keep their hair and the lower one has to shave it.”

More than 200 kids have volunteered to help. “They’ve been knocking on every door in the community this week asking for donations,” she said. “This couldn’t have happened without the volunteers. It’s been amazing to watch everybody totally jump in.”

Next week the students will shop for each child and then wrap the gifts. “On Friday,

Dec. 17 we’ll have breakfast for the families and deliver the presents,” said Bolinder. “That’s the coolest part, meeting the families and hearing their stories.”