Giving back. It’s a refrain heard during the holiday season. Students and teachers are offered opportunities through groups and organizations, but some give back on their own.

Special education teacher Delynn Mabry decided to give back by becoming a foster parent.

“With the foster kids Christmas will be pretty much the same,” Mrs. Mabry said. “We will still do to all the family Christmas stuff and the boys will have a Christmas party at the foster care center.”

Christmas won’t really be that different since the boys are very excited about Christmas, sophomore Justin Mabry said.

“Christmas this year will be just like our traditional Christmas–just with the boys,” he said.

The Mabry family is also planning a secret Santa as something different this year, freshman Sebastion Mabry said.

“I’m glad the boys are excitd and it is going to be a fun Christmas this year,” Sebastion Mabry said.

Junior Josh Wilcox and his family also give back by volunteering at Faith Mission.

He said the the fun part about volunteering at Faith Mission is going with his family and giving back to others.

“We go down to Faith Mission and cook the food,” Wilcox said.  “Yhen we serve the homeless people.” 

Other students have given back through their membership in groups and organizations.

The PALs volunteered at the area food bank and Faith Mission this year.

“We plan to do a nacho fundraiser,” PALs sponsor Ronda Rowe said. “We  are also hoping to be able to do a clothing drive to donate clothes to the kids in the elementary who need them for the winter season.” 

The FCCLA has been sponsoring candy grams for the students to send to each other.

“I usually let the kids vote on what organization we want to give towards,” FCCLA sponsor Donette Odom said. “We will either do Toys for Tots or the giving tree.”

The National Honor Society members decorated the Archer City Senior Citizens Center for Christmas.

 The Student Council sponsored a canned food drive competition to see which class could collect the most cans.

“Our canned food drive helped out our area food bank because the major contributor had to pull out,” Student Council sponsor LeeAnne Warren said.

Other students volunteer individually.

Senior Olivia Taggart participated in National Adoption Day, Nov. 18, by helping out at the celebration of children being adopted. Taggart helped set up, serve food and supervise the children’s activities.

“I have always loved helping out with Adoption Day because it’s great to see these kids find their forever families,” Taggart said. “It’s rewarding being able to give back during the holiday season.””