The McHenry Community High School community delivered a happy holiday to those in need this season.
Several large gift collection efforts were supported by students, staff and community members through MCHS, including a homegrown Giving Tree program along with partnering with other community organizations.
Read on to learn more about each of the projects.
Giving Tree
The MCHS Student Services department organizes an annual Giving Tree to help MCHS families in need. This has been an annual tradition for 20 years starting with counselors, psychologists and social workers wanting to provide holiday cheer to 10 families in need.
This year the project raised more than $4,000 in donations and collected more than 272 gifts for more than 68 students and their families.
Contributions for the program come from MCHS faculty, students and staff, the McHenry High School Foundation, National Honor Society, Art National Honor Society, Key Club, McHenry Police Department, Cobra 31 Foundation, The Bremer Team, Keller Williams Success Realty, and community members.
Key Club
Earlier this month, the Key Club (along with members of the Parkland Builders Club, MCC's new Circle K, and the McHenry Kiwanis Club) wrapped over 800 gifts for clients at Rosecrance and Pioneer Center. The gifts were donated by Key Club members, alumni, and some community members. The McHenry Kiwanis Club also made a donation to help purchase gifts.
McHenry Rotary
Teams of students and families donated their time on Dec. 15 to help deliver gifts as part of the
project. Many of those who help deliver gifts may have also donated to providing the gifts for the project, which is administered by McHenry Rotary.