CRESTVIEW — Several students will return to school Jan. 7 refreshed from winter break and from knowing some families have financial relief because of their efforts.
Nearly 20 students, including those in Davidson Middle School’s seventh-grade civics class and Crestview High School’s leadership program, organized canned food items, clothing and toiletries for local families before the break.
"We provided for seven families this year," Tim Sexton, a Davidson civics teacher, announced Friday. "We were able to fill each of the families’ needs."
Families whom the students otherwise may know.
Sexton had noticed that several Davidson students come from lower-income households, which inspired the idea.
The students gathered donations through the Taking Care of Our Own program.
"One of the topics we cover in civics is citizenship," Sexton said, explaining the project’s name. "Being a good citizen means taking care of others in your community."
On Dec. 20, DMS students and leadership members organized items they collected in the DMS cafeteria. Families arrived the next day to select what they needed.
In addition to household staples, the program received an anonymous monetary donation of $500.
"We used that money to buy a pair of new shoes for each student (represented in the program)," Sexton said.
The money also paid for toys to the children of each family. Remaining funds covered Wal-Mart shopping cards for each family.
Remaining food and clothing items were donated to a battered women's shelter, organizers said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview students donate to classmates in need