Most students are in the giving mood this Christmas, and they show it by donating to those in need.

With the holidays approaching, there also comes a lot of donation drives that happen. Some are toy, blanket, or canned food drives. Donation drives focus on specific groups of people, like low-income families, the homeless, or children in need. According to ChatGPT, “on where to find donation drives, you can find donation drives at community centers, local charities, nonprofits, social media, schools, religious events, and of course, local businesses.”

In a survey of 100 students done at Morton East High School, 73 students said that they do donate. Some said, “Although we might not donate a whole lot—maybe some blankets or food—it still feels a little nice to give something.”

On holidays like Christmas, a lot of donation drives open. Some that a lot of people like doing or find more popular are the angel trees. Essentially, you pick an “ornament” from a tree (it’s a card on a tree) with the child’s name and what they asked for. After you are done buying the gifts, you return them unwrapped at a designated collection point, sometimes near the angel tree. Once the gifts are collected, the organizers distribute them to their intended persons, ensuring that families and their children get presents for the holidays.

“I don’t know if this counts, but sometimes when they ask us at the stores if we’d like to round up the change and give it to children in need, I often say yes because it’s change that’ll just sit there, so I would feel better if it went somewhere it would be put to use even if it’s just a little bit,” senior Emeli Salinas Leanos said.

“I think there was one time when my family donated these old clothes that we had, but other than that, I or we don’t really donate to charities and all unless you count giving money when they set up things outside the stores to help or support, but if not then no, not really,” Junior Crystal Patino said.