HIS class of 2029 gives back
By Payton Fetner
For the Enquirer
During the Christmas season, everyone has their own way of giving back to the community. While some people may adopt an angel from the local angel tree or give away meals to those struggling with hunger, the Hartselle Intermediate School Class of 2029 took a different approach.
Parents and students together donated $600 to purchase shoes, socks and a Christmas party for children at Marie Campi de Yoder orphanage in Quito, Ecuador. Missionaries from the nonprofit With You International, an organization that helps orphans and children at risk in Ecuador, helped distribute the socks and shoes to the children. The 40 children at the orphanage ranged from newborn to 12-years-old.
The students held their own Christmas party Dec. 18 where they received photos and a video of the children receiving the gifts.
This is not the first-time students from HIS came together for good. The Christmas before, students did the same fundraiser for the orphanage, but instead of receiving photos and videos, they were able to have a Zoom call with the missionaries that work for the organization.
During the call, the missionaries were available to answer questions about the nonprofit’s operation, which helped transform the fundraiser into something real for the students involved.
Learning about the struggles children face in other countries helps kids who are more privileged understand how much they may take for granted, even if it is something as simple as socks and shoes. Knowing they were part of something that had an impact on so many lives is something that many of the students said will stay with them forever.
