Students hold gift exchange to help those in need
Springfield Local Intermediate School students Ellie Donatella and Stella LaRocca enjoy their lunch Monday at Columbiana Burger King, after their school’s annual gift exchange with Crestview Middle School. For 30 years, the schools have collected gifts and exchanged them, so they could be given to needy families in the other respective community. After loading gifts onto the other district’s school bus, students gathered inside for a little warmth and fellowship over a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
These Crestview Middle School students enjoy some cheer while waiting in the line to the kiosk at Columbiana Burger King. Pictured from left are Cain McCann, 11; Henry Long, 14; and Wyatt Holmes, 13 with Brody Pancake, 13, peeking from behind Long and Holmes. CMS students and Springfield Local Intermediate School students had met at the fast food restaurant with buses full of gifts collected during their annual gift exchange. Ultimately the gift items are destined for needy families within their communities, according to organizers. After the swap, both sets of students enjoy a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Crestview Middle School students Harper Davidson and Saphira Hayes, both 12, order their lunch Monday from kiosks inside Columbiana Burger King where they met with their classmates and peers from Springfield Local Intermediate School for their annual gift exchange. For 30 years, the schools have collected gifts for needy families in the school district and exchanged them before the Christmas holiday. After unloading and loading the buses, both student groups enjoy lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Pictured in center, Crestview Middle School student Brody Pancake, 13, talks to school mates Henry Long, 14, and Wyatt Holmes, 13, while the trio waited Monday in the line to the kiosk at Columbiana Burger King. CMS students and Springfield Local Intermediate School students had met at the fast food restaurant with buses full of gifts collected during their annual gift exchange. Ultimately the gift items are destined for needy families within their communities, according to organizers. After the swap, both sets of students enjoy a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Springfield Local Intermediate School students Ellie Donatella and Stella LaRocca enjoy their lunch Monday at Columbiana Burger King, after their school’s annual gift exchange with Crestview Middle School. For 30 years, the schools have collected gifts and exchanged them, so they could be given to needy families in the other respective community. After loading gifts onto the other district’s school bus, students gathered inside for a little warmth and fellowship over a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
These Crestview Middle School students enjoy some cheer while waiting in the line to the kiosk at Columbiana Burger King. Pictured from left are Cain McCann, 11; Henry Long, 14; and Wyatt Holmes, 13 with Brody Pancake, 13, peeking from behind Long and Holmes. CMS students and Springfield Local Intermediate School students had met at the fast food restaurant with buses full of gifts collected during their annual gift exchange. Ultimately the gift items are destined for needy families within their communities, according to organizers. After the swap, both sets of students enjoy a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Crestview Middle School students Harper Davidson and Saphira Hayes, both 12, order their lunch Monday from kiosks inside Columbiana Burger King where they met with their classmates and peers from Springfield Local Intermediate School for their annual gift exchange. For 30 years, the schools have collected gifts for needy families in the school district and exchanged them before the Christmas holiday. After unloading and loading the buses, both student groups enjoy lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Pictured in center, Crestview Middle School student Brody Pancake, 13, talks to school mates Henry Long, 14, and Wyatt Holmes, 13, while the trio waited Monday in the line to the kiosk at Columbiana Burger King. CMS students and Springfield Local Intermediate School students had met at the fast food restaurant with buses full of gifts collected during their annual gift exchange. Ultimately the gift items are destined for needy families within their communities, according to organizers. After the swap, both sets of students enjoy a fast food lunch. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
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COLUMBIANA -- For more than 30 years, Crestview Middle School students have had a standing lunchtime date with their peers at Springfield Local Intermediate School right before Christmas.
This year, under the watchful eye of an inflatable Frosty the Snowman and employees at Columbiana Burger King, the two student bodies participated in a community gift exchange for needy families in their respective communities. Melanie Workman, a guidance counselor at Springfield Local, said that she and husband Scott Workman, who was an eighth-grade science teacher at Crestview began the exchange in 1995, after recognizing a growing need in both communities.
Scott, who retired around a decade ago, may no longer be involved; however, holding down the tradition on behalf of Crestview are Rachel Lattanzo, who is the student council adviser and a sixth-grade math teacher, and Matt Evans, also a Crestview teacher and Springfield Local alumni.
Students within the districts compete to donate items for a chance to load the buses and travel to Columbiana to exchange the goods and have lunch with each other.
Items collected range from toys, nonperishable food items, baby items (diapers, bottles, blankets, etc.), clothing, school supplies, etc.
As Workman explained, each community compiles a list of needs and the other school collects them. Then they swap on their gift exchange day.
Having the exchange at the Burger King was a recent change in the tradition. She explained initially the schools would hold their exchange on campus, alternating district locations at each year. However, around a decade ago, the lunch opportunity was added.
"It is amazing to see kids helping families in need during the holidays," Workman explained, adding that it helps them to gain empathy, which isn't necessary routinely taught in a classroom.
Lattanzo is especially fond of the idea of trading the items, which allows recipients to still remain anonymous among their home school.
Over the three decades, it is estimated that more than 30,000 gift items have been exchanged as part of the program.