Thanks to more than $500 in donations, students at The Williston Northampton School were able to buy Christmas presents for three families in western Massachusetts. The funds were raised during a week of fundraising efforts on campus including bake sales and the sale of bracelets for “Dress-down Day.” Students in three advisor groups worked together in the effort, baking, organizing the events, shopping, and gathering with friends for a wrapping party.

Faculty advisor Emily Ditkovski, Williston’s theater director, pointed out that these families would not otherwise have had presents this holiday season. Ditkovski and two other faculty members, Susan Michalski and Karen Ram, brought the idea to their student advisees a few weeks ago. “We contacted Ruth Harms, case management supervisor at Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County, who gave us the holiday wish lists for three families. Thanks to the generosity of our community we were able to get every single item on these lists! Needless to say we were all exhilarated by the project.”

“The generosity of the Williston community is greatly appreciated by all three families” said Harms, “particularly at this time of year, because each family is dealing with health or employment challenges right now.”

Kudos to all the students and faculty who made the effort such a success!

For more information on ways to support families in the community, contact Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County or its parent organization, The Center for Human Development.