LYNNFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL eighth-graders, from left, Kathleen Brown, Claire Halsey and Sydney Moore show off presents they wrapped during the Holiday Gift Drive on Dec. 20. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
LYNNFIELD — The season of giving is going strong at Lynnfield Middle School.
Lynnfield Middle School’s auditorium, cafeteria and gym were transformed into Santa’s Workshop during the Holiday Gift Drive on Dec. 20. Over 200 students, along with school staff and parents, wrapped more than 1,000 gifts for families in need.
“Every year I say it is the best year yet, but this year was truly the best year yet,” said fifth grade teacher Patricia Hazelton, who organized the Holiday Gift Drive once again. “The generosity this year was overwhelming.”
The middle school partnered with the Department of Children and Families’ Lynn Area Office once again this year. Due to the large number of gifts donated, a caravan of cars driven by DCF social workers were needed to fill in for Santa Claus and his nine tiny reindeer. Middle school students along with members of the Lynnfield High girls’ basketball team helped load the gifts into the cars.
“It’s fantastic,” said DCF social worker Chris Gayton. “I want to thank the Lynnfield Middle School and Lynnfield High School communities for working together to help families in need.”
Hazelton said the middle school supported 28 recipients this holiday season.
“We took care of three kids who didn’t have families this year,” said Hazelton. “They are foster kids in three separate situations who are ages 4, 13 and 16. It’s heartbreaking. We took really good care of them. Two of them got Xboxes. It was a wonderful opportunity to really help those kids. Even though they won’t be able to spend Christmas with family members, hopefully they will have a little joy.”
Hazelton also said the middle school community donated L.O.L. dolls, accessories and a dollhouse to two sisters who wanted them.
“They are going to really love them,” said Hazelton.
Hazelton said hooded sweatshirts were very popular this year.
“A lot of teenage and tween boys wanted hoodies,” said Hazelton.
Hazelton said the LMS community donated necessities such as boots, coats, gloves, hats, bedding and sheets to the 28 recipients. A local salon also donated five hair straighteners.
“A boy got a really nice pair of Nike sneakers,” added Hazelton. “That is going to mean a lot to him.”
Hazelton thanked Lynnfield High School World Language Department Head Jodie Leibowitz, who is the advisor of Operation Kindness, for organizing the gift card drive portion of the fundraiser once again.
“We had over $3,000 in gift cards donated this year,” said Hazelton. “I want to thank the high school for helping us with that, and I would like to thank Jodie for coordinating the gift card drive.”
Leibowitz said the high school “had a really fantastic gift card drive again this year.”
“The LHS community is always so generous and helps make the Holiday Gift Drive an overwhelming success,” said Leibowitz. “It’s amazing to be part of such a supportive community.”
A group of Lynnfield High School Girl Scouts also donated blankets, including four they made, during the Holiday Gift Drive.
Hazelton said the middle school set new records with the number of students and parents who volunteered during this year’s Holiday Gift Drive.
“They were all very helpful because it takes a lot of work preparing for the Holiday Gift Drive,” said Hazelton.
Hazelton said a local father built a bookcase for a family in need while another dad constructed a dollhouse for a girl.
“That was so appreciated,” said Hazelton.
When asked how many gifts were collected during this year’s Holiday Gift Drive, Hazelton said she lost count.
“On Monday, Dec. 18, I thought we would be in a good place if we got nothing else,” said Hazelton. “We had more gifts come in on Dec. 19 and 20.”
Hazelton was blown away by the community’s generosity once again.
“It really is a testament to how supportive the parents are in this community,” said Hazelton. “Every parent pulls through in some way either through our SignUpGenius, coming into wrap, purchasing a gift card or fulfilling a last minute request. We appreciate everything they do. Lynnfield is a very generous community, and that makes a huge difference.”
Hazelton thanked LMS PTO Tri-Presidents Heather Rose and Kathryn Price for their assistance with the Holiday Gift Drive’s logistics. Rose was one the parent volunteers who helped wrap the gifts.
“Heather put together the entire SignUpGenius, and she made sure it included every item on the list,” said Hazelton. “Kathryn helped out by sending emails. They were instrumental. They are involved for all of the right reasons, and give from the heart. It means a lot.”
Hazelton also thanked Jessica Incerto, who also helped wrap presents, for her assistance during this year’s fundraiser.
“I want to thank Jessica for coordinating all of the parent volunteers,” said Hazelton.
Hazelton also thanked Michelle Burpee-Robert for “organizing all the gift cards.” She said Kristin Thomas, whose children are now in college, made hundreds of individual labels for the fundraiser’s gifts.
Similar to previous years, Hazelton said DCF social workers gave the middle school a list in order to help make needy families’ holiday wishes come true.
“We had a parent come in earlier in the week to go through everything that was missing on the list,” said Hazelton. “She tried to fill in the gaps as much as she could on her own time. It was very much appreciated.”
Acting Superintendent Tom Geary and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr attended the Holiday Gift Drive to show their support for the incredibly popular middle school tradition.
Hazelton said the Holiday Gift Drive is the middle school’s “signature event.”
“I am really proud of our school,” said Hazelton. “I am proud of Principal Stephen Ralston and Assistant Principal Jeremy Greenwood for being so supportive and wonderful to work with. Our faculty is always willing to help organize, stay after-school and work with the kids. That means the world to me. It’s nice to work in a place that has so many kindhearted and gifted teachers.”