Have you seen the boxes by the front doors in school or in the entrance of the library? Have you wondered what they are? Those boxes are for donations for the toy drive. “It started November 17th, and it goes until the 24th,” said Junior, Tracie Clyne.

English teacher, Ms. Beal is in charge and Juniors, Mikayla Olson, Tracie Clyne, Daniel Hanson, Kass Nelson, Savannah Petschl, Shawn Blucher, and Brooke Imm are helping it move along by passing out fliers and spreading the word.

You may wonder where the toy drive donations go or what it even is.

“The toy drive is where you donate toys to the Alexandra House which is a place in Anoka for domestic violence victims,” Clyne told me.

“What does this mean to you,” I asked Tracie. “It means a lot because it goes to kids [in the Alexandra House] that are in a bad situation and don’t have a lot.”’

Hanson also gave some information. “We’re trying to get as many new toys donated as possible to give to the Alexandra House for kids and families that can’t afford to give or get this Christmas,” Hanson said “It means a lot to me because I like to think that I’m helping the children to get gifts this Christmas.”

Wonderful gift ideas for toddlers are stuffed animals, push and pull toys, and Sesame Street toys. For younger kids: Hot Wheels, science and craft kits, and baby dolls. For teenagers: hooded sweatshirts, sleeping bags, and art sets.

When asked, “why did you bring this to school,” Mikayla responded with, “me and Kass are in an organization with Alexandra House, and we’ve seen how their Christmas donations are going, and they weren’t going to good.”

They’ve never done this before, and I wondered if they would do it again. Mikayla told us if, “it turns out well,” they will most likely do it again next year.
For more ideas for donations you can go to www.alexandrahouse.org/holidaygiving