Students and faculty donated to this year’s toy drive which ran from Nov. 30 until Dec. 17. The toy drive aimed to collect new and unwrapped toys such as board games, stuffed animals and dolls. All toys were dropped off around the small house at the front of the Munger Library. The donated items will be given to the Montecito Baptist Church in Ontario, Calif.
This year, choral teacher Nina Burtchaell added a competition element to the toy drive which involved her seventh grade choirs. She organized a friendly competition to see which of the two choirs could reach 100% contribution first.
“It gives extra incentive [to donate] because it is competitive and it drives us to help the community,” Matthew Lee ‘21 said.
Students also expressed their interest in the toy drive this year.
“Everyone in the school is so fortunate to be able to get things every year at Christmas and to bring that to children who might not have that opportunity is really important,” Jess Grody ‘19 said.
Teachers also recognized the importance of donating.
“I think it is good to help others, and people tend to feel generous towards the end of the year, and we all feel appreciative of what we have and want to share with others. It is my tradition to give toys to kids in December, and it makes my heart sad when I see other kids that don’t have that. If I can afford to give a toy, then I want to do it,” math teacher Regan Galvan said.