| It is incredible how Christmas can be an excuse to | | | | project. On the assigned day they sing carols for the |
| partake in various activities. Some for physical | | | | patients they visit, followed by a shopping spree for |
| pleasure, while some to reach that blissful state | | | | their adopted family, who are usually anonymous to |
| through our philanthropic acts. It's an occasion to | | | | them. Some students in another school, every year |
| spread the message of goodwill and happiness | | | | take an effort to spread cheer and joy in the lives of |
| through our words and more so by our actions, for | | | | the destitute by organizing a holiday party for the |
| actions undoubtedly speak louder than words. | | | | women and children who live at a local battered |
| In fact, during Christmas the whole of America | | | | women's shelter. The residents are invited to the |
| transmogrifies into a quintessential winter wonderland | | | | school, where the students play games with the kids, |
| as all adults and kids go berserk being a part of all the | | | | make sweets and let them feel special as the poor |
| fun and excitement that lies in store for them. Sports | | | | kids are given the liberty to sit on Santa's lap. |
| like Alpine-ski, ice- skating, cross country-skiing, ice | | | | Gingerbread Express, organized by the student council |
| hockey, snowboarding and many other make a beeline | | | | members at one of the schools, is yet another |
| in this spine-chilling season filling the heart with mirth and | | | | interesting way of displaying one's concern for the |
| the soul with joys undulated. There are umpteen | | | | underprivileged children. In this, the paper ginger-bread |
| sports that add warmth to this cold and dull season. | | | | figures have names, hobbies and size of the kids |
| Basketball is a very popular winter sport which | | | | whose parents can't afford to buy them Christmas |
| combines the fast-paced excitement of football with | | | | presents. So the students and faculty members wrap |
| the concentration and athletic prowess of baseball. | | | | toys and clothes for these children, which is delivered |
| Those who belong to the rowdy, beer-drinking group, | | | | to the kids with the ginger-bread figure attached on it. |
| usually tend to have a fascination for Hockey. | | | | The student council at a renowned school in South |
| Snowmobile is another game which is in fact a | | | | Dakota also has a unique way to help the |
| motorized sled carrying one or two people over ice | | | | underprivileged people. They arrange a "sock tree" |
| and snow. It is used both for work and recreation and | | | | during the holiday period, whereby a tree is set up in |
| is a popular winter sport in Canada, in the Northern | | | | the lunchroom area for students and staff to decorate |
| United States and in the colder regions of Europe. | | | | with new socks, gloves, hats, and other items which |
| While most may be making the most out of the time | | | | are then donated to a shelter for the homeless. |
| they get to revel and enjoy the season, some may | | | | Christmas Bazaar organized by The St. James NJHS |
| not be fortunate enough to do so. Thereby, some | | | | in Arlington Heights is among the few successful |
| altruistic souls embodying the very spirit of | | | | charity fundraisers. Children of the lower grades get a |
| fellow-feeling and sympathy, make sure that they | | | | chance to purchase inexpensive gifts for their family |
| make a positive difference in the life of the suffering | | | | members and the collections made are donated to the |
| souls in their own small way. In fact, some schools in | | | | local charities. On the other hand, The National Honor |
| USA undertake the noble task of ensuring that they | | | | Society at Ogemaw Heights HS in West Branch, MI, |
| diffuse the spirit of festivity in the lives of all and | | | | organizes a dinner at the local country club with a |
| sundry. | | | | Christmas theme, which is a perfect blend of the |
| For instance, some student councils in some famous | | | | holiday spirit and the fundraising effort. |
| schools in America have proved to be exemplary in | | | | Citizens here, thus not only enjoy this occasion but also |
| their drive to serve the needy family by adopting one | | | | take some time off to indulge in certain humanitarian |
| such family from one of its feeder schools each year, | | | | activities by ensuring that Christmas days are |
| for the holidays. Each student who wishes to | | | | rendered special for the rich and the poor alike. |
| participate raises at least $50 to contribute to the | | | | |