By Melissa Giblin 13
EE Staff Writer
These days, the holidays have been consumed by greed and commerciality. They are merely an excuse for selfish individuals to be spoiled with unnecessary gifts, and for advertisers and entrepreneurs to portray these items as essential. In the midst of all these superfluous goods, the true holiday spirit has been buried. This year, many Trumbull High students and staff members are effectively bringing back the true meaning of the holidays through the Salvation Army’s “Adopt a Child Program.”
Under this program, each group of participants “adopts” a child in need and provides gifts for them this holiday season. While most of society today claims to “need” the iPhone 5 to update from their outdated 4s, these children would be ecstatic upon receiving warm clothes and a small toy. These children, mostly from Bridgeport, are underprivileged and would truly appreciate any gift on Christmas morning. Participants receive a card providing their assigned child’s clothing sizes and a few small items that they have asked Santa for. The ages range from 0-14, and when a class receives the card, the holiday season is put into perspective.
Some cards contain the names of infants, asking for formula to get by. Other children desire a fluffy winter coat to get them through the chilly months. The items never cost too much, but they will without a doubt put a smile on the child’s face come Christmas morning.
Mr. Broccolo brought this program to Trumbull High. This year, many homeroom teachers proposed the idea to their more than willing students. Homerooms volunteered to collect funds for a child, and as a class decided what they would buy for him or her. Helping these unfortunate children provided THS students with extreme satisfaction.
THS senior Amanda Burtnett states,“When the idea was first proposed, my homeroom was in agreement that it would be nice to help someone out this holiday season. It has made us all feel better about ourselves, and I will definitely continue to be involved in programs like this one.”
Students who did not get to participate in the charity event this season, for whatever reason, were disappointed. Senior Stephanie Guerin spoke of this. “My homeroom did not participate in this program, but I would have liked to. Giving is better than getting. I’m going to look into a program like this on my own because I would love to make a child smile this holiday season.”
The charity event was such a hit within the classrooms of Trumbull High School that Mr. Broccolo, who was in charge of giving out the tags, quickly ran out. Eager students and teachers contacted him after hearing about the program, only to find out the children had all been assigned. It is not too late, however. Those who are interested in making a donation but were not assigned a child have the option of buying for a specific age and gender and turning their purchases in, as long as they specify who the gift is intended for. Mr. Broccolo strongly suggests that each student and staff member donates a gift. What better time to provide for people in need than around the holidays? After all, is it not the season of giving?
This is true people should be worrying less about all the things they want and think about others. It feels good to give, especially to those who are less fortunate. Students that will be spoiled with gifts that are unnecessary, as you stated, did not do anything more than a less fortunate child did to earn these expensive and excessive amounts of gifts so therefore everyone should consider making a child less fortunate that themselves happy this holiday.