February 6, 2026 - Service Learning Blog
Student Service Learning Blog Writers
A Tradition Begins: The Giving Tree
By Zarah (Grade 11, President of the Chinthe Fund - Secondary School)
The purpose of the Giving Tree extended far beyond the giving of gifts. The initiative was about making children feel valued, cared for, and included. By allowing each child to pick items that suited their needs and interests, the experience became more personal and meaningful.
We met every Tuesday after school to plan this event. We assigned each grade level a specific item to bring in, ranging from basic hygienic necessities to toys and stationery. We would like to thank all the grade-level teachers who coordinated with their classes to bring in gifts. A special thank you goes to Ms. Schumaker for making sure every step of this planning process was done smoothly.
My personal favorite memory of this project was helping the children choose their outfits. I recall a few of them specifically asking for my help picking out an outfit, and I’m glad they were satisfied with my choices. Moments like these reminded us that giving is not only about the items themselves, but about the connections formed along the way. Helping the children choose their outfits and seeing their confidence grow as they made decisions was a reminder that small interactions can leave a lasting impact.
On behalf of the Chinthe Fund team, we would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Giving Tree. This was our first time organizing such a huge gift drive, but it was way bigger than we had expected, and that is all thanks to the generosity of our ISY community.
We are so grateful to have received so many gifts for the CLC and Kalihtaw children. Thank you for helping us create such meaningful memories.