It has become a holiday tradition at Carlisle High School to participate in the Adopt-a-Family fundraiser.  This is a fundraiser that the Class Councils run.  Every year, Theresa Dixon contacts the elementary school counselors to decide what families will be chosen each year.

David Bigelow, senior class adviser, said, “Once the families are decided, class councils collect money during lunches and in English classes.  Once, we have all of the money collected, council members shop for gifts, wrap the gifts, and deliver them to the families. “

This fundraiser is one of the best most rewarding ones the school is a part of.  Many people directly involved with the fundraiser say that it has greatly affected them.

Kate Erfle, senior class vice president and participant of 4 years, said, “Participating in Adopt-a-Family makes me so much more thankful for my family and everything I am given.  Sometimes I look at the people around me and get jealous of what they were given for Christmas and how much money their family has to spend, but then helping with Adopt-a-Family reminds me that some kids receive nothing.  This tradition is definitely a reminder that Christmas is about giving over receiving and proves that giving makes you feel incredibly more happy then any gift could.”

Erfle is one of few students that have seen the result of Adopt-a-Family.  Every student at CHS has the opportunity to donate; however, this year demonstrated some challenges.

Rob Dutrey, freshman class council adviser, said, “The students have been less generous than usual this year.  I have heard  a lot of comments about ‘I have my own problems/needs’ as students did not donate any money.  It was especially sad because no one asked for an explanation, so it seems like these kids were simply justifying their lack of generosity.  This pervasive selfishness and lack of sympathy for those in our community resulted in less money for fewer families than in previous years. ”

Dutrey did add, “That said, thank you so much to those of you who gave out of the kindness in your heart!”

Once the gifts are wrapped and ready to go, the advisers bring the gifts to the family homes.  Even though councils did not get as much money as they had in the past, it was still deemed a success.  All of the gifts were delivered either on Friday December 23 or Saturday December 24.