Editor’s note: Beginning journalism students conducted these interviews and Brandon Arellano, Bobby Ross, Sarah Marrone, Jesse Fogg, Victoria Abina and Autumn Garvin contributed to this story.

Icy weather and school cancellations have hurt Angel Tree donations, Student Council sponsor Allison Stamey said, with 87 students still needing to be adopted by Friday, Dec. 13.

Stamey said that late donations may be brought in on Monday and added that adopting an angel isn’t the only way people can contribute to the cause.

“We would so appreciate grift cards of any amount to any story that sells food and clothing,” Stamey said.

StuCo will also accept checks made out to LHS ABC [Activities Booster Club] or cash donations by Friday. To adopt an angel, click on this link and follow the instructions at the top of the page.

The Angel Tree is a program where StuCo coordinates donations and gifts for students and families who might not otherwise be able to afford Christmas presents.

“We have a total of about 360 [students nominated for adoption] usually per year,” Stamey said. “And then with their families we got probably 580 families last year. And then per each one, there’s usually five gifts involved.”

Once the gifts are received, StuCo handles distribution. Often donations are made anonymously to the students and families.

“It is more like a Secret Santa thing,” said senior Erika Benitez, student body community service officer. “We want them to be surprised and not know, keeping the illusion that Santa Claus is the one that is helping them.”

There are a lot of things to consider, like making sure siblings on the list get an equal amount of gifts.

“That’s the mother in me,” Stamey said.

StuCo does not receive any budget money for programs like Angel Tree so they rely strictly on fundraising and generosity for the community.

Giving is better than receiving for the StuCo officers involved.

“I think it just kind of fills you with joy, because you know you’re helping other people besides yourself,” said senior Kathia Castillo, student body historian. “I mean our job every day is helping everyone around us. So donating all these gifts, it’s kind of rewarding in a way.”

Senior Randall Sloan, student body treasurer, said his favorite part of the project is wrapping the gifts.

“I like the wrapping part just cause I think of little kids ripping all the wrapping and thinking, ah, he is gonna love it or she is gonna love it,” Sloan said.

Stamey stressed the importance of getting gifts turned in on time, because of the difficult job in doing all the delivery.

“I’m up here on my holiday still delivering gifts to make sure they get them,” Stamey said. “If the don’t, we’ve actually driven out to different trailer homes and delivered and knocked on doors and left presents there. We just make sure everyone gets their stuff.”