Pre-K students at St. Olaf School collect Toys for Tots donations

St. Olaf School

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Courtesy of St. Olaf School

BOUNTIFUL — For most small children, Christmas is a time of great excitement and anticipation, dreaming about the treasures they will find under the tree on Christmas morning. However, for some, these dreams are not a reality, so in 1995, the U.S. Marine Corps began the Toys for Tots program to help fulfill the wishes of many underprivileged children in over 700 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

After watching a news video of the Toys for Tots program in action after Hurricane Sandy, students at Saint Olaf School were impressed that the Catholic school whose students received toys was a Pre-K through 8th grade school just like theirs. The 17 pre-kindergarten students in Sarah Hovanec’s class at Saint Olaf School decided that Toys for Tots was perfect for their school service project.

Together they went to each class, explained the Toys for Tots program, and asked all the students to bring a new toy to school for the Marines to distribute to needy children.

Tytan Hammond explained the rules of the project, "No old toys, no food or candy in the toys and no swords or weapons. These toys are for homeless people and we want to remind others to help."

As each child brought a toy, they were allowed to put their name on a paper train car, which was then added to a train that stretched down the school hallway wall. Many Saint Olaf parishioners also donated toys.

Students had a variety of reasons for giving, and for choosing the gifts they donated.

"I put in a puzzle because I like puzzles and it makes me feel like I love these children," said Ruby Amundsen.

Camden Schoenfeld said, "It makes me happy to give toys to other people who wouldn’t get any. I want them to be happy on Christmas morning too."

In all, the 17 pre-K students at St. Olaf School were responsible for donations of almost 90 brand-new toys valued at more than $700, which were then given to the Toys for Tots program.

Courtesy of St. Olaf School