Kids help brighten others' holidays

The Galva junior high basketball, cheerleaders, and dance/drill teams, along with their coaches, held a holiday toy drive before Christmas break, to help less fortunate families in the area.

The goal was to brighten the holidays of many children and their parents. Items were collected at two junior high boys basketball games. About 100 items were collected.

“I had a personal goal that we set at the beginning and we were able to surpass that goal during our second game night,” said eighth grade boys basketball coach Thomas Walston. “I was thrilled that we were able to bring in as much as we did.”

The teams used two main nights, both home basketball games, to get help from the community. Walston said the support was wonderful.

Before giving the gifts, the students held a pizza/wrapping party to put a more personal touch on things. Then school social worker Colleen Sullivan and Beta Sigma Phi, organizers of the annual Angel Tree effort, finished the job by getting the gifts to the kids. Walston said Sullivan reported seeing smiles and appreciation when the items were received.

For the rest of this story, see the Jan. 7 Galva News.