This season, Glen Edwards Middle School was excited to give back to the community. We started off by filling 20 Thanksgiving baskets and then we started our annual can-food drive. After that, we put up a tree in the office and started the giving tree. And finally, we hosted a charity basketball game and had a blast.

We asked teachers and their students to donate items for our Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. We asked Raley’s and Safeway to help by donating turkeys, but instead, we got gift cards we greatly appreciated. We filled the 20 baskets with mashed potatoes, gravy, juice, cranberries, green beans, corn, mac ‘n’ cheese, sweet potatoes, brownie mix and cornbread mix. Making the baskets was a great experience.

Right after we started the Thanksgiving baskets, we started the annual can food drive that the Lions Club hosts. This year (even with a rough economy), most students participated in the can drive and we raised about 1,000 cans. It was a great feeling to give back to the community and know that one little can could mean so much to a family in need.

After that, we did our annual giving tree. That is where a leadership student generously donates a tree we put it up in the office. We cut paper in shapes and wrote girl/boy and their age. Then students take an ornament off a tree, buy a gift and return it with the ornament taped on the present. The class with the most presents wins. This year, sixth-grade won. It was amazing to see all the presents brought in.

Our last fundraiser was the charity basketball game at the Community Center. It was Glen Edwards’ teachers versus highway patrol officers. To get in, you had to bring a new, unwrapped gift for your whole family to get in or $5 per person. Also if you brought in a gift for the giving tree, you could still get in. Highway Patrol won and our school made money off the snack bar. Thank you, families, for a great time.

This year, Glen Edwards was very charitable and it was great to see other students like myself give back. The families and people you helped greatly appreciated it and thank you. Hopefully next year, we can have another great turnout

MACKENZIE MEACHIM, Lincoln