Tooele High School will host its annual Winter Trees Festival this Friday at 5 p.m. in the school’s commons area by the lunchroom. Presents and trees will be distributed to families in need that evening.
The students at THS have worked hard to make this year’s festival a success and to bring a giving spirit this Christmas season.
“This year we have supported 44 families,” said Paige Christensen, student body officer. “We have raised about $4,250 for the festival.”
After the money was raised, the students in the school’s different clubs and sports teams went shopping for the presents.
“It depends on the family,” said Dane Montague, student body officer. “Every family gets a decorated Christmas tree and all the families get gifts chosen for each specific family.”
The presents are generally things that the families need.
“We try to donate clothes, toys, gift cards, books and food,” said Isaac Pectol, senior class president. “Anything can range from $80 to $200, possibly even more than that.”
The families that are helped have met certain qualifications to be eligible for the festival.
“That money we raise goes to the people that cannot pay for their own family,” Christensen said. “With the extra money, we are hoping to give each family a $25 gift card to Payless to get shoes for the winter.”
The student government is certain that not only are the students doing a good deed, but it helps them as well.
“I believe it helps them realize how much this impacts the lives of others,” Pectol said. “They should be grateful for what they have. My wish is that I want all families to have an amazing Christmas and enjoy it.”
Each of the students has a favorite part of the festival.
“My favorite part is behind the scene, which is delivering the presents the next day to all the families,” said Christensen. “The smiles and thank you’s you get are what makes this whole thing worth all the time and dedication you put into this.”
The students also face several challenges that they must overcome to make the festival successful.
“I don’t like the complaining,” Montague said, “but obviously the whole process of organizing delivering groups, making sure every single family gets what they need, making check-up phone calls and visits to the houses, haven’t been easy. But nothing that’s really worth it in life is easy.”
The student body officers have a wish for the families they are helping this year.
“This year, I know I will have a good Christmas,” said Montague. “I can just take that for granted. These people we are helping don’t have that luxury or blessing. I, along with the other students and clubs involved, want to make and be that blessing for these families so they too can have an awesome Christmas and so they won’t be in need.”
Peatross is a junior at Tooele High School.