Toy drive connects Hawthorn students with community

Boxes and boxes full of new toys are headed out this Christmas to deserving children in the community. What makes these toys special are the children who are donating them.

“Part of the International Baccalaureate program at Hawthorn Academy is to help students become aware they are part of the world,” school director Deborah Swensen said. “We help them feel connected by giving service to their community.”

For several weeks, students at the K-9 charter school collected cans of food for the local food bank, and also new toys to be donated to the Utah Youth Village. The UYV is a non-profit organization that houses children from various backgrounds. Many of the children are wards of the state who have been victims of abuse, and who have not succeeded in typical foster homes. Some are experiencing self-destructive periods in their lives.

The decision to focus on giving and not on holiday parties at Hawthorn came from student leaders.

“We gave them the opportunity to plan whatever they wanted,” curriculum director Emily Johnson said. “They unanimously decided to create this giving project and continue to motivate the student body to participate.”

Besides donating, students work the project into their studies.

“Our first graders are responsible to count the cans of food when they come in, and log the number on their number line,” said Swensen. “I think parents are thrilled we are giving their students the whole experience.”

The goal is to get 2011 cans of food and 211 new toys by the end of the holiday drive.

“I have no doubt that we’ll make it,” Johnson said. “I have seen the generosity of our students several times over during our drive. Families who I know are struggling are giving what they can, with one or two cans of food. It’s a wonderful thing to see.”