By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Members of the Class of 2024 collected dozens of toys to help families in the area have a Merry Christmas.
The students, also part of NorthServes, partnered with the Patriots Foundation to collect toys from Friday, Dec. 11, through the following Wednesday. Three large boxes were filled and will be donated to Christmas Is For Kids, an all-volunteer run program that provides gifts for children in Attleboro, North Attleborough Plainville, Norton, Seekonk, and Rehoboth.
Class Advisor Katelyn Burchill said this was the first time that the Class of 2024 has done a collection of this kind. She joined the class officers—President Jeylan Olmez, Vice-President Eman Farid, Treasurer Sophia Hooban, and Secretary Abby Barber—each morning in the parking lot outside the middle school with signs asking for donations. Items that were dropped off included board games, sports equipment, dolls, and stuffed animals.
“We’re very proud of the officers to do something as freshmen to give back to the community,” said Burchill. “It’s a common sentiment from everyone I’ve spoken to.”
Olmez said the toy drive was organized roughly a month in advance, and COVID-19 guidelines were observed. Barber said she was impressed with the response in such a short amount of time. With so many people impacted by the pandemic, she said the goal was to help out those in need for the holidays.
“If we could make people happy, this would be worthwhile,” said Olmez. “It would be good to help them through a difficult time of the year.”
