North Hills Students Walk to Ensure Families Have a Merry Christmas

In the midst of hot chocolate, candy canes, and the classic Chipmunk rendition of Christmas Don’t Be Late, more than 80 people gathered at  Saturday to participate in the Elf-A-Thon.

The event, which was organized by  seniors Shannon Evans and Jerod Avon, raised more than $1,700 for families in need this holiday season. Elves were the theme of the event to reflect the acronym the two students had created for the word “elf,” which stands for “elevating lives for families.”

“The holidays are a time for families to get together,” Avon said. “We know that there are families where the parents are not able to provide for their kids. I couldn’t imagine that feeling. “

Both Evans and Avon wanted to do something to give back to their community, and came up with a Christmas-themed walk-a-thon that would allow less fortunate families to have some Christmas cheer come December 25.

“We looked at different things for that,” said Evans, referring to how they would donate the funds raised. “We contacted North Hills Community Outreach, because it’s in our neighborhood basically, and there were some families there who really needed help. One with three children; one had one. We wanted to focus our attention on them because they are local, they are in need, and they were eligible to get the resources. “

“We are looking at other organizations to see, basically, what organizations are in need of funding and have no other option, and we’re helping the ones we think could most benefit.”

The two had a lot of support behind their idea, as many different members of the North Hills area showed up to walk for the cause.

“I don’t know any families in need,” said Diane Flynn, a health and physical education teacher at the high school. “But I know that North Hills has a lot of families that are in need because it’s a really diverse economic school district, from the very wealthy to the needy. I just know that there are kids at our school who need it.”

“We always say how lucky we are for things and our family,” said Tracey Bowman, whose niece attends school at North Hills. “So somebody who doesn’t have enough food on the table this week, it’s nice to do something for somebody else.”

Evans and Avon were given the wish lists of the families they have chosen to help, and will purchase gifts for those families with some of the money they have raised.

Evans said that only one family member knows about their charitable efforts.

For everyone else, it will be a magical surprise on Christmas morning.