For students in the French Honor Society, the holiday season came with a special mission: making Christmas magical for children in foster care and group homes. Students collected and wrapped personalized gifts for children through the Angel Tree program, organized by French teacher Elena Khylabich.

The program allows participants to “adopt” a child’s wish list, each containing the child’s name and age. Khylabich encouraged students to view these lists as an opportunity to connect emotionally with the children and think about the joy their gifts would bring.

“What inspired me is that it’s more personal,” Khylabich said. “You’re not just donating something random; you’re playing Santa and giving them exactly what they asked for. That connection is so meaningful.” 

The inspiration for Khlyabich’s involvement dates back years, when her daughter introduced her to the program. Despite logistical challenges, she brought the program to West Shore this year.

“The hardest part was finding the right contact at the Salvation Army,” she said. “It took weeks of phone calls. But once we got the cards, the response was amazing. Even students who weren’t in my class participated because they wanted to help.”

Due to organizational delays, participants had less than two weeks to gather donations. Still, students and staff delivered on time. Students organized shopping trips, checked off wish list items and hosted gift-wrapping sessions after school. 

“It’s easier than you think,” sophomore Luna Stieber said. “You can just grab the card, shop after school, and drop it off the next day. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference.”

The gifts ranged from toys to essential items like shoes and winter clothing. These dual-purpose donations addressed not only the children’s immediate needs but also their emotional well-being.

“Some of these kids have been taken from their homes with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing,” Khylabich said. “Knowing someone cares enough to get them something they specifically wanted can mean the world to them.”

For junior Penelope Maynard, participating in the Angel Tree program was her first experience with charity work. Maynard said she didn’t realize how many children in her community needed help until she saw the wish cards.

“It made me think about how lucky we are to have homes and families during the holidays,” she said. “As teenagers, we don’t get a lot of chances to give back. This felt personal. Even though I don’t know the child, seeing their name and age made it more real.”

Beyond the joy of giving, the program served as a learning experience. Khlyabich said she used the initiative to encourage empathy and raise awareness about others’ struggles. 

“Not everyone has what we do,” Khylabich said. “This is a chance to step outside our own little world and make a difference.”

Looking ahead, Khylabich said she plans to start organizing earlier next year to expand the program’s reach. She said she hopes to involve more student organizations, such as the National Honor Society and student government, to maximize participation. 

“The Salvation Army said we could begin as early as October,” she said. “I’d love to see even more participation so we can help more kids.”

When the pile of wrapped gifts was brought together, ready for delivery, Khylabich said her eyes were filled with tears.

“Each box and bow represented someone choosing kindness,” she said. “That’s the spirit of the holidays. At the end of the day, it’s about making someone’s Christmas brighter. And I think we did that.”

By Jenna Naters