Middle school staff, students continue tradition of giving

MERRIMACK – Merrimack Middle School students have once again participated in the Giving Tree program, taking gift tags from a decorated tree and purchasing much-needed items for people in the community who are in need.

This year, more than 200 gifts were purchased for the sick, the homebound and the homeless.

The Giving Tree Program was coordinated by Laurie Whitney of Home Health and Hospice Care and Fran White and Jen Petrin, MMS’s Student Council advisers.

“The children of this school never cease to amaze me with their generosity,” Whitney said. “This year, the majority of the requests were for the basic necessities of food, clothing and pharmacy gift cards. This is a good barometer of just how desperate the situations are for many people.”

The Merrimack Middle School Student Council members participated by assisting other students in signing out a tag, purchasing gifts and coordinating the packaging and delivery of the gifts.