Helping those without means to give to others

WINDSOR – The excitement and buzz grew with each student entering the Westwood Middle School library on Dec. 13.

At first it was a trickle of solitary students tentatively and quietly entering the library beginning just after 11 a.m. But as the lunch bell sounded, more students swung the doors open, entering in groups of three, four and more — each scanning the room with various levels of excitement and wonder and all clutching a bright neon green slip of paper with their name on it and directions to report to the school’s Giving Store.

It was the 10th edition of the store that began at Cheney Middle School with teacher Sherie Syrie spearheading an effort to ensure students from families with limited means have a chance to shop for gifts for their members. The tradition was carried to Westwood not long after the school opened in 2011-2012, health aide Robin Miller said, with the local organization Communities in Schools handling the details.

Over the years it “morphed” and Miller has become the “front man” for the effort that involves Communities in Schools and the Westwood staff. Gifts are collected throughout the year in a variety of ways, some via monetary donations, some through groups and by the staff themselves.

Westwood Principal Erika Burden said the staff is sent reminders to remember the Giving Store when doing things like spring cleaning, shopping for post-holiday discounts or just running around town.

“Remember the Giving Store if you’re out Black Friday shopping,” Burden cited as an example.

Some gifts not selected the previous year are stored and put out again the following holiday season, Miller said. This year’s selection included colorful, soft stuffed dogs and bears donated by Kay Jewelry.

“We just had so many (last year) that we had some left over,” Miller said.

Local organizations help out, such as the Cheney Fire Department Benevolent Fund and the current and retired teacher organization Alpha Delta Kappa.

As the holiday season approaches, Miller said Westwood Communities in Schools coordinator Kevin Partridge prepares a list of 50-60 students who fit the families with limited financial means criteria. School counselors review the list, adding names of additional students they know from personal knowledge of the student population.

Partridge and the counselors have a good-size pool of students who might fit the criteria. According to the latest information from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 55.9 percent of Westwood’s enrollment in 2018-2019 was low-income — almost 5 percent above the district-wide number.

Last Friday, Miller, school staff and Alpha Delta Kappa volunteers entered the library around 9:30 a.m. to arrange the gifts on tables, bookshelves and any available piece of furniture. As the students began arriving, the volunteers greet them and ask how many in their family they are “shopping for,” and accompany them as they browsed the tables and shelves, offering suggestions and even hints.

Miller related a story about a girl who, upon browsing gifts last year, came across a bag leftover from the previous Giving Store and in need of cleaning. Miller said they offered to get the girl another bag, but she declined.

“She said, ‘Oh no, this would be prefect for my mom for when she has to go to dialysis,’” Miller said.

Brennan, a Westwood eighth-grader, said he was buying gifts for his mom and little sister. A bit reserved, he said he was grateful for the store.

“I think it’s going to be really helpful for my mom,” he said. “It makes me feel glad and happy for my family.”

Gennaveece, an eighth-grade girl, was grateful because “usually we can’t afford stuff.” After selecting several gifts and placing them on a table for wrapping, she returned to the gifts and found a colorful, wool “Rasta” sweater for her 18-year-old brother.

“He already has some of that stuff,” she said with shy smile.

Miller said the store provides not only gifts, but much needed personal interaction.

“The intervention they (students) get is a whole different level we get as a staff,” she added.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].