With Christmas is right around the corner, many feel giving back and helping others is the best way to spread this holiday cheer.  For the HHS Key Club, advised by Ms. Rogalcheck, giving back to the community and those within it is a necessity, especially young children.

On December 6, members of Key Club assisted the Hammonton Kiwanis Club with their annual Christmas party, involving food, arts and crafts, and of course, gifts, for less fortunate children. The event was held at the Atlantic County Human Services building on Bellevue Avenue in downtown Hammonton.

Thirty-five children created a list of toys they were hoped Santa would bring them. An assortment of toys were among the lists, ranging from Barbie dolls to Nerf guns  to books.  The students helped Santa by shopping at Walmart to purchase the items.  Afterwards, the gifts were wrapped and ready for the children to open.

Senior Gemma Giralo described what it was like to watch Santa deliver the gifts at the party.

“They were so grateful to have all of the gifts that Santa brought for them, and they were absolutely adorable,” she said. “We received a list of what the kids wanted and they were simple things like books, clothes, and dolls. It was just so heartfelt.”

The holiday cheer spread throughout the evening was heart warming as the children were given a Christmas to remember with loved ones.

Junior Cintia Small described her experience working with one of the children.

“They opened up to me and I opened up to them,” she said. “It was just a great experience overall.”

Key Club secretary Lacey Weissman reflected on the day.

“It was really nice to be able to give back to the community and to the children.”

The members of Key Club  and Kiwanis exceeded the expectations of Christmas, while involving themselves with their community and the next generation in it.