Many would say giving is an element of the Christmas season. For Spanish teacher Judy Sandoval’s classes, giving is the spirit that encompasses the holiday. Her classes teamed up with Toys for Tots and donated more than $400 worth of toys for underprivileged children.                                     

“We raised money in my classes,” Sandoval said. “I just noticed that a lot of donations weren’t being made so I wanted to raise awareness and they decided to raise money.”

Sandoval and her classes initially raised $120. Then, a student’s parent donated $150. The Spanish National Honor Society donated $162 worth of toys.

“I think that it was a wake-up call,” Sandoval said. “A lot of us have so much, but we realized there are some who don’t get anything under the tree.”

Sandoval and some of her students met at Walmart to pick out toys to donate. This way, they tried to gather toys for all ages.

“I told each student to spend at least $10 for their toy,” Sandoval said. “But also to imagine if this was the only gift a kid would get, and to give something they would want to receive.”

The Toys for Tots drive was sponsored by Student Council who said they collected more than 100 toys for local children.

“A little goes a long way,” Sandoval said. “My experience is that the kids here are very generous at Rouse and they just need a little push forward to open their hearts.”