This year the De La Salle Giving Tree was a huge success. Ten families, which included 37 people, were helped by the students’ efforts. It is becoming a yearly project, with big plans in the future. Mrs. Caruso, the moderator, says, “In the future I hope that a group of students will pool together and each adopts one family to help.” She would also like to get each class to adopt a family to help give a good Christmas. She sees that happening in the next couple of years. Mrs. Caruso also would like for a family to come talk to the De La Salle students and explain what it means to receive help from young people who care. This all started three years ago when the Key Club organization adopted a family for Christmas. Then two years ago the football team and the key club each adopted a family. Mrs. Caruso works with the Catholic Charities organization to give away the actual gifts which included: four bikes, a gigantic kitchen play set, a fisher price basketball goal and ball, and Barbie dolls. Most of these families aren’t even homeless, just in tough times and unable to have a Christmas without some help. The parents usually asked for very selfless items such as food and toys for their kids. A mom even asked for lotion, one thing that people usually take for granted. Sarah Oster had the privilege of getting this woman lotion and also giving her fifty dollars to spend on herself. Sarah commented: “I was shocked when the Mom just asked for lotion. I would do it again because it was a very humbling experience and I loved the feeling of helping someone in need.”
Article written by Gregory Jacob (13)