Holiday Spirit: Hilltop Students Collect Toys, Mittens and Hats for Local Families

by Lorrie Ham

Hilltop Primary students collected 335 items during the annual Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive, which ended last week. The Hilltop Student Council sponsored the annual drive. Each classroom collected items for needy families in the Westonka area, which were delivered to WeCAN (Western Communities Action Network).

Student Council members collected, counted and boxed up the items themselves.

Advisor Carmen Diamond asked her fourth-graders if they had any thoughts or comments to share about this year’s drive.

"It's better to give than to receive because it makes you feel good and someone else feel good too," offered Alex Nordstrom, Kyle Pellett and Harry Moen.

Jon Hoffmann said, "It's fun because you know that the hats, mittens, and toys you give are going to someone in need."

"We have been doing this drive for many years at Hilltop,” said kindergarten teacher and advisor Jill Borg. “It is wonderful for our students to donate holiday items to families in our local community."

And WeCAN appreciated the students’ efforts.

“We were really pleased to receive such generous donations,” WeCAN Director Leah Weycker said.

Under the leadership of volunteer Jen Cameron, the Adopt-a-Family program matched items to needs of local families while a “store” was set up to allow families to choose gifts for their children as well.

“Hilltop students helped make the holidays special for many local families,” Weycker added.