LYNNFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL’S annual Holiday Gift Drive on Dec. 21 featured students wrapping presents for 10 families in need. The gift wrapping extravaganza included sixth-graders, front row from left, Cassie Angilly, Avery Nickerson, Maeve Walsh and Bella Clancy. Back row, from left, sixth-graders Anna Lawler, Lyla Falzarano, Amelia Willoughby, Madison Steiner, Ella Pascucci, Nola Maney and Kiley Flynn. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Wow.
The Lynnfield Middle School community came together to make sure families in need have a special holiday season during the annual Holiday Gift Drive on Dec. 21. The middle school’s auditorium, cafeteria and gym were transformed into Santa’s Workshop, as 400 students along with school staff and parents wrapped over 1,000 gifts for families in need.
“This was the biggest Holiday Gift Drive that we have ever had,” said fifth grade teacher Patricia Hazelton, who coordinated the fundraiser once again. “It exceeded every other year, especially when it came to gift cards. It was really heartwarming.”
Similar to previous years, LMS partnered with the Department of Children and Families’ Lynn Area Office once again this year. Due to the large number of gifts collected this year, a caravan of cars driven by DCF employees were needed to fill in for Santa Claus and his nine tiny reindeer. Middle school students along with members of the Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team helped load the presents into the cars.
“It’s awesome,” said DCF social worker Britt Scoglio. “This is my favorite day of the year because there is goodness all around. It’s great seeing a bunch of kids doing great things for complete strangers. I absolutely love it.”
Hazelton said the middle school supported 10 families in need this holiday season.
“The DCF social workers talked to the students about the families they would be helping before the Gift Drive started,” said Hazelton. “The families’ stories were incredibly heartbreaking.”
Scoglio echoed Hazelton’s sentiment.
“All of these families are great hardworking people who just don’t have the finances to give their families a special holiday,” said Scoglio. “That is something all families want to do for their children. The middle school’s Holiday Gift Drive will make that possible.”
Hazelton said the LMS faculty swooped in at the last minute to help a mother and her three adopted children.
“She has terminal cancer, and we spoiled her and her family,” said Hazelton. “I am happy that the three kids she adopted will be having a very nice last Christmas with their mom.”
Hazelton said the LMS community donated necessities as well as gifts on each family’s holiday wish list this year. She noted that a large number of bicycles were donated during the Holiday Gift Drive. She said gift cards for stores such as Market Basket, Target and Walmart as well as various restaurants and gas stations were also donated.
“Every family got gift cards,” said Hazelton.
Lynnfield High School World Language Department Chair Jodie Leibowitz, who is the co-advisor of the Operation Kindness Club, oversaw the collection of 100 gift cards that were donated for the LMS Holiday Gift Drive.
“The Lynnfield students, families and staff are so generous,” said Leibowitz. “We had so many gift cards donated, which will give area families in need a wonderful Christmas.”
“The high school donated thousands of dollars worth of gift cards,” added Hazelton. “We really appreciate the support we received from the high school.”
Hazelton also noted that the LMS community donated a TV stand to a family who requested one.
“We had a bed with a slide that was delivered early,” said Hazelton. “The family assembled it for their children.”
Hazelton said a number of the Holiday Gift Drive’s recipients were babies.
“There were a lot of bathtubs, diapers and walkers that were donated,” said Hazelton. “We wanted to make sure we took care of the babies and their families.”
When asked how many gifts were collected during this year’s Holiday Gift Drive, Hazelton said she lost count.
“We worry every year that we are going to fall short, but we exceed expectations every year,” said Hazelton.
Eighth-grader Magdalyn Hatzis enjoyed wrapping presents during the fundraiser’s gift wrapping extravaganza on Dec. 21.
“It was nice way to end the year before Christmas break,” said Hatzis.
Hazelton said watching the 400 students wrapping the presents that were donated this year was incredibly heartwarming.
“I really encouraged the students to donate their time,” said Hazelton. “Children are limited in the ways they can give when they are young, but they can give their time. I was overwhelmed by kids’ generosity.”
The gifts collected throughout the fundraiser blew first-year LMS Assistant Principal Jeremy Greenwood away.
“It’s quite impressive seeing how much students enjoy being involved with the Gift Drive,” said Greenwood. “I am also impressed by how organized and how well run the Holiday Gift Drive is. It’s really great to see.”
Hazelton said this year was “the most efficient and smoothest Gift Drive” that LMS has held.
“We had the most help that we have ever had,” said Hazelton. “The Lynnfield Middle School PTO really stepped up and helped. We assigned parents to every family. Jessica Incerto took on a lead role with helping us. She was fabulous.”
Hazelton also thanked Barbara White and the O’Neill family for supporting this year’s Holiday Gift Drive.
“Barbara put many hours into overseeing one of the extra families we took on,” said Hazelton. “And the O’Neill family donated gifts in memory of Lisa O’Neill.”
Hazelton also thanked Greenwood, Principal Stephen Ralston and LMS’ faculty and staff for supporting this year’s Holiday Gift Drive.
“The administration takes good care of the faculty, which helps make the Holiday Gift Drive possible,” said Hazelton. “The faculty and staff were so helpful this year.”
