Thanks to the Greenfield High School National Honor Society and those who made donations during the annual Holiday Sharing food and toy drive, nearly 50 local families received food, toys and holiday cheer when they normally might not have had any.

What the students and event organizers were able to accomplish in such a short period of time was astounding. Some of the highlights included:

• Forty-six families received non-perishable food, gently used clothing (as much as they wanted/needed), poinsettia plants, fresh fruit, bread/pastry box, toys/gifts for each of their children and $50 in gift certificates to ALDI’s. 
• One carload of toys, approximately 200 new hats and gloves, and several boxes of children’s books went to St. Francis Hospital for its waiting rooms and Pediatric and Emergency Departments. St. Francis Hospital also received 150 new stuffed animals for distribution in its hospice and pediatric units and 100 Beanie Babies for the emergency department.
• More than 4,000 clothing items went to the Winter Clothes Closet in Milwaukee for distribution to needy families.
• Seven truckloads of food were donated to St. Martin of Tours Emergency Food Pantry, which was selected by the Honor Society because it turns no one away and serves the five zip codes in southern Milwaukee County.
• Approximately 15 afghans were donated to Oncology Alliance for people receiving chemotherapy.
• Emergency boxes of hats, scarves, and gloves were sent to each of the four elementary schools in the Greenfield District. Each box contained about 30-35 items.

In addition, toys, hats/gloves, and candy were donated to the Battered Women’s Shelter; approximately 2,250 candy bags were made and distributed to schools located in low-income areas of Milwaukee’s south side; and toys were given to the Greenfield Fire Department for use during emergency and trauma situations.

The school is still receiving requests for assistance and will continue to help until all the resources and donations have been exhausted.