The holiday season inspires TJ students to help out those in need.
Artwork By: Hayden Johnson
If there is one time of the year that brings out the generosity in people, it’s the holiday season.
Not only is it filled with giving to loved ones, but also donating and giving to complete strangers. The holiday season often inspires people, even teenagers, to want to help those who are less fortunate. Some of these teenagers are our very own TJ Spartans, who have decided to spend their time and money shopping not for themselves, but for the kids at the Children’s Hospital.
Every year, the Children’s Hospital creates a holiday wish list for the kids there. The list includes just a few items that would be nice for the sick children to have for the holidays, such as markers, paints, any kind of toys, stuffed animals, portable DVD players, books, gift cards, etc. “The feeling you get after you know you’ve done something nice for someone else who needed it is absolutely amazing. It feels so great knowing the kids at the hospital will have presents to open on Christmas morning,” said Junior Daniela Cardona, one of the Spartan volunteers.
The holiday wish list is not the only way to help out the Children’s Hospital this holiday season. The hospital offers several volunteering opportunities with which teenagers can get involved: the Junior Volunteer Program, which helps support the hospital by working in different departments and helping out the children and their families in any way they can. They can also help support certain fundraising activities the hospital is holding at the time. Thomas Jefferson students, such as Daniela, have been getting involved with these kind of volunteer opportunities as well. “I strongly suggest volunteering at the Children’s Hospital to other TJ students. It’s a great opportunity and helping out feels great,” said Cardona.
If students are interested in giving to the community or donating in any way, they can drop off their items to the Association of Volunteer Office no later than December 15th. This will allow time for those organizing it to get all the gifts ready for the children before Christmas. If there are any questions regarding the wish list, please feel free to call The Children’s Hospital Foundation at 720-777-1700. If students are interested in volunteering at the Children’s Hospital, please call the Volunteer Office at 720-777-6887. Any kind of help and support is appreciated.
