It was that time of the year again when the annual Christmas trees were put up in our school. It is not just any ordinary tree for decoration; it has a purpose, and that is to help a family in need. Every year the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) club here at Potosi finds a family in need for the holidays. They put the trees up and then they add ornaments with what the family may need or want on them. Then the community, students, or teachers can take an ornament or two and go out and buy something for the family, then return it under the tree.
It takes some work to get this ready. In the fall Mr. Fry reaches out to Grant County and lets the person there who organizes the Holiday Project know that we would like to adopt one or two families. When the person from the county has all the families’ applications, she assigns us one or two. Then SADD makes a list of their requested items and the club members go to work creating paper ornaments and setting up the trees. The kitchen staff also provides a Christmas meal and many other food items to deliver to the family.
Mr. Fry became a part of the SADD advisory team when he arrived at Potosi Schools in 2017. The former counselor here ran everything and showed him what was involved. When she left the following year, he became the most experienced SADD advisor, so he has helped organize it since then.
The benefits of this project are that the community can support a local family or two from Grant County and give something back to someone who needs a little extra support. ”Because the SADD group makes it a community effort, everyone gets to give, and we are usually able to go above and beyond the family’s submitted wish list and hopefully give someone one of their best Christmases ever,” said Mr. Fry. SADD members are reminded they can make positive decisions and efforts that help their community. There are about 20 student members in SADD this year, and we hope to see it increase every year.
I asked Mr. Fry how being the advisor impacts him. He told me that when they get the wish list, he gives it out to his club members and they make the tags and also set up the trees. The most important aspect he is responsible for is delivering the gifts to the family or families. Mr. Fry added, “It's a good reminder for me that there are some in our rural community who don't have as much, and this project really does make a difference for people ''.
I never really knew what this tree was for until I looked one day and thought I would really like to make a difference in someone's life, especially around the holidays. I took part in this by grabbing a couple of ornaments this year and last year, and I felt good about doing it knowing that I can help someone who is struggling. This year's project has and the gifts have already been delivered to the family but you can watch for the trees to go up next year.
The 2023 Holiday Project was a huge success again this year, as SADD was able to deliver an entire carload of presents and supplies to one local family. Please watch for the trees again a few weeks before Thanksgiving in 2024, and contribute to this project if you are able.