Project Santa 2016 at Bellaire High School

(From left) Junior Kevin Guo and senior Lily Luo pose at their ornament decorating station.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, Bellaire High School hosted an event called Project Santa. The event brought families of children who are currently at Texas Children’s Hospital to our school to celebrate the holiday season. Clubs from Bellaire hosted games and crafts for the kids and their families. 

“I loved seeing all of the happy faces on both the kids and the adults,” junior Meghan Larson said. “The kids run around to all of the stations like ring toss, face paint, and cookie decorating, dragging their parents behind them. It’s really fun to watch.”

Sophomore Skye Waterland helps one of the children at Project Santa. 

As lunch time rolled around, families went to the cafeteria to eat pizza generously donated by Reginelli’s, New York Pizzeria and Guglianis. The kids and parents listened to the First Presbyterian Youth Choir while clubs cleaned up and joined them in the cafeteria.

“This event was a great way to give back to the community during the holiday season,” junior Amy Lin said. “The best part was handing the gift over to your ‘adopted’ child and seeing their face light up with excitement. Overall, the event was successful and I would definitely do it again next year!”

Ashlon Lusk, a senior, sets up the ball toss activity for her club. 

Each club sponsored a specific child and brought presents for them. The cafeteria tables were covered in gifts waiting to be torn open by gleeful hands. After the lunch festivities, the families found their respective clubs and the kids were given their gifts.

The event was a definite success with over 100 children receiving lunch, gifts and a fun morning of games and crafts. A huge thanks goes out to the Bellaire Student Council for organizing the event and to all of the clubs and students who donated materials and time!