By: Ainsley Hall
MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg North Middle School is participating in the Angel Tree program by supporting families in need this Christmas. Angel Tree gives people the opportunity to donate clothing and toys to families to make sure everyone has a special holiday.
This year Krista Kyker, social studies teacher, is leading the Angel Tree project with help from other members of the school’s staff. For the past five years, North Middle has had the Angel Tree, but when Kyker heard that no one was heading up the program this year. After talking with the school LSIC, she decided to keep the program going to continue helping families have a special Christmas.
“There is such a high need in our community,” Kyker said. “Students are always coming in freezing because they don’t have a coat. Since I started working here and the economy has gone down, things have only gotten worse. So I thought what would have happened to these families if we didn’t continue?”
North Middle wanted to make sure that they didn’t just help their students but provide Christmas to the entire family. They will serve 34 families, providing clothes, bedding, toys and other needs while also giving them a Christmas meal. Several local businesses have gotten involved including Family Bible Church which donated $1,000 and Pyramid Health which donated $500 as well as sleeping bags and other trinkets. Other families in the community have also donated while others adopted families, completing funding their lists. Kyker shared that the school has collected over $4,000 which will all go to families in need.
Kyker has even found ways to get students involved. The Student Council and members of the Renaissance Program have volunteered to help wrap presents. Students also helped spread the word, talking with their parents and handing out letters about the Angel Tree.
“We can only wrap presents after school hours, so these students are giving up their free time to help,” Kyker said. “They could be spending their time with their family or many of them play sports or are a part of other programs. Instead, they are giving up the little free time they have to help somebody else.”
Other teachers have also gotten involved as they organize the list of families, connect them and keep track of finances. Every family is kept confidential to make families more comfortable asking for help. Kyker shared that this wouldn’t be possible without the amazing staff, students and community support.
“The community involvement has really inspired me,” Kyker said. “People are so willing to help. So many people have donated, and they don’t realize how much they are really doing. Even if they are just giving $20, those things add up.”
Kyker believes a school has always been a place for the community to come together. North Middle is an example of how schools can help make an impact and help those in need.
North Middle currently has only four families left that people can adopt. Kyker shared that there are still some families who weren’t able to join the Angel Tree program, but she hopes to use any extra donations to help those families too. All donations are due on Dec. 10. To get involved visit the Martinsburg North Middle School website at https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/martinsburgnorth.