The Friends of Rachel club and the varsity cheerleaders will be holding a toy drive for families in our community that are in need this Christmas. The drive will be held during all lunches from December 18-20 in the cafeteria, where students can take a picture with Santa (senior Sean Campbell) in exchange for the donation of a new toy or $5.

Friends of Rachel President, senior Olivia Barr, organized the drive along with the other officers of the club. The cheerleaders will be dressed as elves during lunch and will encourage students to take a picture with Santa.

“I think it’s an awesome thing,” Barr said. “I hope that it grows and that we can help a lot of families out because of it.”

The sponsors for the drive are counselors Cary Gifford and Kristi Gibson along with Assistant Principal Jason Mullin.

“The students have done an awesome job,” Gifford said.  “They really come together. The great thing about Friends of Rachel is it’s completely student-lead and student-organized.”

The toys will be benefitting families of the Marcus feeder schools and the Santa’s Helper toy drive.

“I want them to know the actual meaning of Christmas and that they are loved,” Barr said. “People do care about them. They are special.”