by Jessica Harper
Thisweek Newspapers

Each year individual schools do their part in spreading a little holiday cheer by donating food and clothing to those in need.

But this year, the Prior lake High School Junior Optimist Club will do something a little different by leading a districtwide Toys for Tots drive from Dec. 11-16.

This is the first districtwide effort in the Prior Lake-Savage Area District, and the club hopes to collect 2,000 to 3,000 new toys, which will be donated to the Toys for Tots organization or a local charity.

"Having a districtwide toy drive will give the schools a sense of togetherness for one cause," Junior Optimist Club President Sabrina Hawkinson said.

Over the past two years that the club has existed, its members have done volunteer work, but never organized its own charity effort before.

"The club was hoping to do a more larger scale community service work than they had in the past," Junior Optimist Club Adviser Amy Raetz said. That is why they decided to organize the toy drive.

Students, teachers, staff and parents will be able to place toys in a donation box that will sit in the entrance of each school in the district from Dec. 11-15.

Then, on Dec. 16 the entire community is invited to bring donations to the high school parking lot where two trailers will be filled with toys from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As an extra incentive, Sabrina said, donors will receive a surprise treat when they donate that day.

"The entire community can feel a sense of accomplishment when they see all the toys together," Junior Optimist Club Vice President Ellie Huntington said.

Both Sabrina and Ellie said they hope the club continues the drive annually.

Jessica Harper is at priorlake.thisweek@ecm-inc.com