The Timber Team, TTE’s version of a student council, led a drive which collected thousands of dollars for needy families in Douglas County

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett

Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students gave back to the community in a big way during December, looking to share with those in need.

During the week leading up to their winter holiday break, the Timber Team (TTE’s equivalent of a student council) led the charge to collect food, clothing, and monetary donations for needy families in Douglas County. At the end of the drive, the student body had provided holiday meals and gifts for five families, collecting several thousand dollars in cash and goods.

“We want to give a big shout out to Timber Team members for organizing this winter philanthropic event.  They did an amazing job at the kick-off assembly, ” said TTE Principal Michelle Radke. “We are fortunate to have such a talented and caring group of young leaders at Timber Trail Elementary.”

Donations benefitted families at the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center in Douglas County through their holiday “Adopt-a-Family” program. Each grade level adopted a family for the holidays, with every class in that grade level providing gifts for a specific family member.

“We are completely overwhelmed,” said Heather Orr, the special events coordinator for the Center. “The donations the Timber Trail community gave and the care they put into this are incredible. They have kids that help bring in the gifts – it’s a great group and we love to work with them.”

The gift drive wasn’t the only charitable endeavor at the school during December. Fifth grade parents and class party planners Brandi Tsuchimoto and Shannon Hassler wanted to find something fun and meaningful to do at the class holiday celebrations. Armed with donations from parents for class party activities, they purchased 45 yards of fleece to be made into crib-size blankets which were donated to Children’s Hospital.

“We were looking at a craft for the fifth graders to do during the holiday party, and just weren’t coming up with anything we thought they would like – especially for the boys,” said Tsuchimoto. “We decided this would be fun, and a better way to spend our party money than on something that would probably end up in the trash at the end of the day.”

Tsuchimoto’s daughter, Anna, helped her mom prep the fleece prior to the party by cutting fringed edges on the material, which was then tied into decorative knots at the party.

“I like doing this project better than a regular party craft because it’s giving back to other people,” said Anna. “These kids are spending Christmas in the hospital, maybe it will be nice for them to get a little present from us.”

Timber Trail fifth graders Justin Olcott (left) and Megan Hassler right) tie a decorative fringe on fleece blankets to be donated to Children’s Hospital. Hassler, Olcott and their fellow fifth graders completed 45 blankets during their class holiday parties.