Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Times-Union Staff Writer
They don't attract attention or generate publicity like a delinquent minority, but a large number of Warsaw-area students is donating time and energy to a community service project for the holidays.
"Hometown Holiday Weekend," which will be held in downtown Warsaw Friday through Sunday, will include Christmas trees on display at various merchants throughout the area. Each tree will be decorated this week by groups of school-age kids - from elementary through high school.
Susan Donkers, 17, is a senior at Warsaw Community High School and editor of the school yearbook. The entire yearbook staff of approximately 20 students will decorate one of the trees.
"It's the spirit of Christmas," Donkers said. "We wanted to do something for someone as a group."
Members of the public who want to vote on their favorite tree can do so by bringing in canned food, which will be collected and taken to Combined Community Services.
About 20 decorated trees will be donated to families that are unable to get their own Christmas trees.
"Kids get a bad image. You never hear about the good kids, and the majority of kids are good. There are plenty of kids out there that want to help," said Jamie Teel, 17, also a WCHS senior and first vice president of the student council. The student council will decorate a tree for Allen Designs on Center Street.
Julie Bruggeman, faculty adviser to the cheerleaders at Eisenhower Elementary, broached the subject to the cheerleaders, who adopted it with characteristic enthusiasm. The six girls decorated a tree for The Fitness Center this morning.
Nineteen students from Carolyn Shaffner's second-grade class at Jefferson Elementary have been making and filling stockings to use for decorating their tree at Anderson Furniture Galleries.
And the entire sixth grade at Lincoln Elementary, about 65 students, made ornaments to use for Christmas tree decorations at Male Fashions.
While the weekend will feature many holiday-oriented activities, such as strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and visits with Santa, it also gives the younger generation a chance to show their community spirit, said Jennifer Shepherd of Party On!, one of the weekend organizers.
"It could become a meaningful tradition - helping kids develop a spirit of giving," she said.
