A new club at Early College High School dove into its first service project with an added personal touch.
The school’s freshly chartered DECA chapter raised a stack of new toys for the Killeen ISD Police Blue Santa effort and made some personalized wooden animal toys as an added bonus.
The annual drive benefits the KISD HARP program – Homeless Awareness Response Program for students and family members.
Early College business teacher Paulino Moralez, sponsor for DECA, is a woodworker and cut out a series of animals and other shapes for the gift drive.
His students volunteered their time to sand and paint the fresh-cut shapes.
“We’re honored to contribute these special toys,” said Moralez. “These aren’t just toys. They’re a testament to the skill and generosity of our students.”
Early College DECA president Jaylah Jackson, a junior, praised her peers for their excitement to serve.
“We found out about a toy drive, and we all wanted to contribute something,” she said of the group’s drive. “We bought coloring books, toys and lots of other things.”
She said the school’s administration supported the effort and that Moralez’s business class students pitched in to help with the handmade toys.
“I think Christmas is a really important time. I think it’s important for everyone to get a present. If we can give back to someone else, it’s a really good thing to do. We want to do what we can for the community.”
KISD Police Blue Santa is collecting unwrapped toys for children 3 to 17. Collection continues at all campuses until Dec. 12.