At Judge Memorial Catholic High School, students came together through their discernment groups to bring joy to children whose families couldn’t afford Christmas gifts. Each discernment group was assigned a child or two and provided with details about what the children wanted for Christmas, as well as their clothing sizes. With this information in hand, the groups undertook the meaningful task of planning how to make each child’s Christmas special.

The process began with students brainstorming gift ideas based on the provided lists. Each group worked collaboratively to decide who would purchase which items and how to ensure every child’s wishes were fulfilled. This effort involved a lot of coordination and teamwork, as the students wanted to exceed the children’s expectations and create a truly magical holiday experience.

The school gave all participants about two weeks to gather the items on their lists. During this time, students shopped and prepared the gifts with great care and thoughtfulness. Some students added personal touches to their gifts, making them even more meaningful. The spirit of giving shone brightly as students embraced the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

At the end of the two weeks, all the gifts were placed in the discernment classrooms, labeled with each child’s number. Peer ministry students then went around the school, collecting the gifts and ensuring every child’s presents were accounted for. Once organized, the gifts were delivered to the families, bringing joy and hope to their Christmas celebrations.

This initiative not only brightened the holidays for the children but also emphasized the values of service and generosity among the students. It reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas—spreading love, kindness, and compassion—and showcased how acts of giving can create lasting, positive impacts.