WOODS CROSS—The students at Woods Cross High School have initiated a service project aimed at providing Christmas gifts for children in need, bringing the Christmas spirit to families around the community.

As of Dec. 4 Woods Cross High is 32% of the way to their goal, but kids and families are still in need. 

"We find students in our school and community that are in need,” said Benjaman Gessel, the Woods Cross SBO of Service. “We sign up to buy Christmas gifts for them. The goal is for everyone at our school to be able to have a good Christmas.” 

“Our students never know who the people are that are receiving the gifts,” said Noelle Britte, an SBO advisor. “They’re just giving generously of their own hearts and their own pocketbooks to help members of their own community.” 

Through Dec. 1-12, anyone can choose a child in need, to purchase gifts for. This can be done by having a student at Woods Cross pick a card for you, or going to school, located at 600 W. 2200 S., Woods Cross where you can select a card yourself. After Dec. 12 donations can be made to the Woods Cross Teen Center at DSDgive.net and donate money there. The money will be used to directly help students in need by getting food, clothes, and hygiene items.

“The sheer number of people this reaches in incredible,” said Lily Freebairn, the Senior Class Officer of Service, “I can’t remember but last year I think it was more than 300 kids.”

“It just keeps growing,” said Roxey Catenzaro, a teacher at Woods Cross. “The need keeps growing and we’re able to find more and more kids who need help each year.”

This is a service project that has seen immense success over the years, affecting more than just the receiver. Through this project the giver is able to feel how they have impacted someone and it changes Christmas for the entire family being helped. 

“The service committee is helping all the students that really need help with the Wildcat Wishes,” said Matthew Campbell. “We’re going to help organize and have them have the Christmas they want for their families.”

“I really like shopping for people, I think it’s fun,” said a student at Woods Cross who donated to this project last year. “Especially for little kids, because imagining them being really happy that they got gifts for Christmas is amazing.”

“It is a heartwarming experience to be able to do this,” said another student at Woods Cross who also donated last year. “It gives you the scope of it, you hear about it but seeing how simple the needs are firsthand while also seeing how little it is that they want. It becomes a very good reminder to self-reflect.”

The need is right in front of us, helping those in our community is meaningful. One donation can make all the difference for a family. It might be the difference between one gift or none. Bring the Christmas spirt to families in the community by donating to Wildcat Wishes.