When Ann Morgan heard of the economic hardships felt by families last year at Colt Elementary School in Lansing, Mich., where her sister is the principal, she was spurred into action. The western Howard County resident gathered enough toys, clothing and other items to help about 25 families.

This year, she had extra help and hopes to provide more assistance through donations for Colt Elementary.

Morgan enlisted the help of the Glenelg High School Silks Squad, which includes her daughter, along with family, friends and the students she teaches in Montgomery County to gather toys and other goods so the Michigan families could have presents for the holiday season.

“We wanted to do something,” Morgan said, adding that many of the Colt students’ parents worked in the auto industry, which has seen unprecedented layoffs in recent years. 
Morgan’s sister, Colt Elementary Principal Peggy Baldwin, said the number of students eligible for the school’s free and reduced-price meals program has increased this year — an economic indicator of families facing hard times.

“We have some families in need,” Baldwin said.

Those assisting in the effort collected toys beginning just before Thanksgiving and shipped the donations Dec. 4.

Many of the toys were gathered at a Nov. 29 party hosted at the Mount Airy home of Katie Rahn, a Girl Scout who asked each party attendee to donate a stuffed animal.
More than 300 items were packed into a truck donated by Con-way Freight on Dec. 4 and were scheduled to arrive at Colt Elementary on Dec. 8.

Sixteen boxes of various sizes were delivered to the school, and staff members will begin sorting the items in the next week or so to distribute to the appropriate families.

“We are certainly overwhelmed in a very positive way…by the generosity of the students and families in Maryland,” Baldwin said of this year’s delivery.

Last year, some of the parents who received the toys and clothing in Michigan were overwhelmed, according to Morgan’s daughter, Glenelg senior Ellen Morgan Dimmick.

“Parents came in and were crying,” Dimmick said.

For some of the students here, gathering the items for the Michigan school was an eye-opening experience.

“I was kind of astonished,” Dimmick said. “I didn’t know this was the only source of toys for some parents. I think it kind of takes us out of our bubble.”
 
For others, helping those in need hit close to home.

“My mom got laid off and I know how that feels,” said Jackie Lukasewicz, a Glenelg senior and Silks Squad member.

Morgan said she believes that giving is a valuable lesson for all to learn.

“It behooves us to share. I like them knowing that it can make a difference,” Morgan said of the students who helped with the drive, which included the ESOL students she teaches in Montgomery County schools.
 
• The Key Club, Executive SGA, Impact and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Glenelg High School is holding a Toys for Tots drive through Dec. 18. They are accepting new, unwrapped toys and books appropriate for children through age 14. Toy collection boxes will be available in the main office and the media center. The school is at 14025 Burntwoods Road, in Glenelg. Call 410-313-5528.

• Hammond High School will be celebrating the life of Bob Gross, a special education teacher and supporter of the school’s drama and dance departments, who recently died of brain cancer. “Remembering Bob Gross” will take place Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Hammond’s auditorium. In lieu of a ticket cost, those who attend are asked to donate to a scholarship fund being created in his honor. The school is at 8800 Guilford Road, in Columbia. For more information, call the school at 410-313-7615.
 
• The Student Government Association at Manor Woods Elementary School is sponsoring Food Pantry Fridays, a program in which students are asked to bring nonperishable food products to school each Friday. Community members also may participate by dropping off food items in the school’s lobby (located at 11575 Frederick Road, in Ellicott City) on Friday to support the Howard County Food Bank. Call 410-313-7165 for details.

• The Marriotts Ridge High School chapter of the National Honor Society is sponsoring its annual Holiday Toy Drive through the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program through Dec. 18. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., weekdays, in the school’s front office. The school is at 12100 Woodford Drive, in Marriottsville. Call 410-313-5568 for more information.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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