LHS provides holiday miracles with Angel Tree

LHS hosted an Angel Tree event this winter for students in need to get Christmas gifts for themselves or their families. Olivia Wilson, a counselor for the school, has “spearheaded” the efforts with help from her colleagues and the community.
“It started when my student’s mom used to bring little gift bags,” Wilson said. “She’d bring 10 girl bags and 10 boy bags, and we’d give them to students in need. And I thought, ‘If one person can do so much good, just think what the whole community could do’.”
Students at both LHS and Tammany High School learned earlier in December about signups available. Students also had the opportunity to submit applications on behalf of their peers. The students received wish lists to fill out, and the gifts could range from hygiene products to intricate toys.
Donations were fulfilled through ornaments on the Angel Tree. Some ornaments were specific requests from students, while others were for general items needed throughout the holiday season. Then students and school staff came together to stock up on gifts.
“The Angel Tree is an opportunity for teachers and community members to give back to students at LHS and THS who are struggling,” Wilson said. Wilson noted that this is the fourth or fifth year of the Angel Tree effort, adding that its popularity has increased since moving to the new LHS campus.
“I wish people could see the gratitude on the kid’s faces when they open the gifts,” Wilson said.
She added that she wants people to remember that “Christmas is about gratitude.” For school staff, the Angel Tree “helps them walk into work every day [ . . . ] and be grateful for what they have”.
Wilson urges students who want to be part of the Angel Tree program to contact their counselors next year.
“We’re always looking for students to help,” Wilson said.