Even as the holiday season is upon us and we get into a celebratory mood, students at GESS decided that it is also the perfect occasion to spread some cheer to those in need. With the inspiration from teachers Ms. Jennifer Barry and Mr. Alexander Kroll, the students took on the task of identifying beneficiaries, collecting wish lists and promoting the project among the school community.
Let’s hear from 2 students – Lara Bretthauer and Phoebe Billingslea – who participated in the project to understand what went on behind the scenes!
What is the Giving Tree project? Tell us more about it.
Lara: The Giving Tree is a charity project, aimed at helping out underprivileged families and people during the festive holidays. The community gets the opportunity to purchase gifts, especially necessities such as diapers, toys and so on, for families in need.
Phoebe: The Giving Tree was set up with different ornaments, each displaying an item someone wished for. People took an ornament, bought the present and brought it back. We then separated the items according to the organisations and sent them off.
What motivated you to participate in the Giving Tree project? And in what ways have you and your peers been contributing to the project?
Lara: What motivated me to participate was primarily the idea of helping people. I like doing charity work in general and have been meaning to engage in this sort of projects more anyway.
The other students and I have been dividing the work evenly and making sure each person has a specific job to do, whether that be advertising, cooperation with the charity organisations or creating the ornaments on the tree. Everyone works for and as a team.
Phoebe: I wanted to participate in the Giving Tree as it is a way to give back and help others. It was a good opportunity for me to work collaboratively with other students and take initiative. It has been a long process with so many different parts and I really wanted to be a part of that and help in any way that I could. The main reason was because I thought of how fortunate I am during this holiday season, and I felt I needed to help people even if it is just a little. I contributed to the Giving Tree by creating a video along with my classmates about what the Giving Tree is and encouraging people to take an ornament from the tree.
Share your reflections from participating in the project:
Lara: I enjoyed participating in the Giving Tree project, as it gave me an opportunity to not only help others, but also work in a group towards a good cause. I liked the role that I played a lot, as I was able to work with new people and better understand how marketing and advertising works within the school. I will definitely do something like this again.
Phoebe: This has been an incredible experience and is something that we should do every year at GESS. I learned a lot about collaborating with people and different groups and how when everyone does their part something amazing can come together. This is not the kind of project that I would usually participate in, especially in advertising, but I am so glad I did, I learned new skills like filming videos as well as being in the video and how you really need to draw in the viewers’ attention.
What is the message you would like to send to your peers and the GESS community about giving?
Lara: Giving is what makes the festive season. While it’s always nice to receive presents, giving back leaves a lasting joy and really defines what Christmas is all about.
Phoebe: Giving isn’t about donating items but it is about making a difference and the best way to make that difference is through you, me, and everyone in this community. Even if it is just a little, give back this year.
