Lancaster High School students and staff have embraced the spirit of the holiday season by adopting a family in need this Christmas. This traditional event has been helping families in the Lancaster community for decades. LHS staff and students worked together to carefully plan and organize the effort, giving everyone the opportunity to participate. The program not only supports those in need, it alsobrings joy to those who can help. LHS teacher Lindsay Swartz, who headed the LHS volunteers this year, said that the group worked with local law officials to buy presents for those in need.
“This year, as a staff, we adopted three children. I collected all the donations, and then Mrs. Barnes went shopping at Walmart with the other Adopt-a-Family groups from the school and the Sheriff’s Department police officers. It is such a great shopping event and we get so many wonderful items for the children we adopt,” said Swartz.
Swartz went on to say that the yearly fundraiser is an essential part of what the holiday season is all about.
“I think it is very important to be generous and give back to the community, because Christmas for me is a time to be with family and loved ones. It is also a time of year to be generous and giving without expectation of receiving. So I am honored every year to be a part of adopt-a-family.¨
LHS Athletic Department secretary Amanda Barnes volunteered to shop for the family alongside local law enforcement and other volunteers from LHS. She explained how the shopping process works so they could make this a memorable experience for everyone.
“The kids are assigned a number, and that’s who you shop for. So for our family, we had twin girls and a little boy. It was exciting, and I’m very happy. We were able to spend a decent amount of money on them. All three kids got a couple outfits, PJs, shoes, packs of socks, and then several toys so of course some fun things but also necessities,¨ she said.
Barnes said that she thinks the experience of buying presents for those in need is an amazing feeling.
“It felt great doing so, honestly, and knowing that we had a family of three, two girls and a boy, to go through and know that they’re actually going to have a good Christmas warms my heart. Christmas means a lot to me. I grew up and we didn’t have a lot. It’s just everything, I just think it’s a happy time,¨ she said.
LHS junior Luka Lane donated to Adopt-a-Family for a personal reason. She said it’s all about seeing happiness on the face of a child.
¨I decided to donate because I remembered how my cousins’ faces looked when they opened their presents and they’re just so happy, so I wanted to help make another kid smile.¨
Christmas has always been important to her since she was a little girl.
¨I am always busy going from place to place and seeing all my family before and after Christmas. It just makes me feel that Christmas spirit and I look forward to it every year.¨
Through the Adopt a Family program, Lancaster High School continues to show the power of kindness and community. By working together, students and staff helped ensure that these children experienced the joy of Christmas proving that even small acts of generosity can make a lasting impact during the holiday season.
