South Putnam wraps up many Toys for Tots

Wednesday, December 8, 2010
South Putnam seniors and varsity basketball team members Brayden Freeman, left, Dean Varvel, right and Seth Arnold, seated, wrap donated toys Monday that will be distributed through the local Toys for Tots program.

GREENCASTLE -- In this season of giving, many South Putnam students chose to do their part by helping out the local Toys for Tots campaign.

About 20 students gathered Monday to wrap gifts that had been gathered by the student council. Members of South Putnam's Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball Teams also assisted in Monday's effort.

"They had so much fun," said Becki Arnold, guidance secretary at South Putnam.

Seth Arnold is a member of the varsity basketball team as well as the student council president at South Putnam. "I thought it was a good thing because it was something to help out families who can't afford gifts," Arnold, a senior, said.

This was the second year Arnold, 17, volunteered for Toys for Tots. He was impressed with the number of donations his classmates were able to gather.

"There were a lot of toys," he said. "I saw a lot of kids' books, basketballs, footballs and Barbies."

Arnold has also been involved with the local Coats for Kids campaign, and has been struck by how many families come forward for assistance.

"It kind of puts things in perspective," he said. "I've been thinking about how people struggle. It's more prominent around here than people might think." Also assisting on Monday was senior Brayden Freeman, a member of the varsity basketball team.

"I did it last year too," Freeman said. "It's really important to help out little kids. I was fortunate enough that in my family we had always had enough money for presents. It's sad to think about the families that don't."

South Putnam has been conducting its toy drive in conjunction with a drive at Cloverdale High School. Toy distribution is set for Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cloverdale.

"I'm just really proud to be a part of it," Freeman said. "We had a lot of kids who helped, and that was good to see."

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