ROCK SPRINGS – Christmas was merrier for several families because of Pilot Butte’s Holiday Helpers program.

Holiday Helpers started 8 years ago when staff members at Pilot Butte started gathering money together to support families in need. As years progressed the staff gained support with the project that allowed them to “adopt” more families. In yearspast they adopted up to 70 children and raised over $10,000 dollars.

This year theHoliday Helpers raised just under $5,500 dollars that provided Christmas items to 13 families totaling 35 children.

One of the instrumental teachers over the program, Lyndsey Dorman, who teaches 5th grade said, “We raised money with booths at the Home and Holiday and Home and Garden shows as well as a penny war involving the entire school. Additionallywe asked the community to get involved through Facebook sites: Rock Springs online Sales, Sweetwater Sawpit, etc.”. Dorman stated they received very generous donations from a few individuals that monumentally helped their efforts.

Dorman shared the process of selection. Once the teachers select the families, the counselor verifies the need for help through the free/reduced lunch program and then they look up addresses and parent’s place of employment to ensure those with the strongest need are being met. Staff members then buy each child shoes, pants, 2 shirts, socks, and underwear as well as a variety of toiletries. Each child also gets a small toy.

“We wrap all the presents and then either have the families pick up from the school or we deliver. Once we delivered to a house that had an eviction notice on the front door. We have seen situations that give us the inspiration to keep this program going because they are heartbreaking.” Dorman said.

At a school wide assembly individuals instrumental in this year’s Holiday Helpers program were recognized.