Is it better to give than to receive? Perhaps that is a question to be posed to the students at Gerald Elementary when they return to class after their Christmas break. 

Most GES students both gave and received this holiday season. A month-long food drive was held at the school with all students challenged to bring in items for the local food pantry. The pre-K classes collected 142 items taking top honors. The entire school donated 550 items to the pantry. 

Gerald Industries held a collection at their two plants to collect gift items for several families at GES as part of a team building event. This is the first time GI has conducted this collection and GES Counselor Jennifer Lindemeyer says their generosity was gratefully appreciated. 

The PTO set up a shopping program that allowed students to purchase small gifts for their family members. Students brought money to school and were allowed to make their purchases during an assigned time.

Their excitement for buying for others was nearly as great as their gift exchanges during class parties held Thursday, Dec. 20. 

Giving and receiving are both part of the holiday season. Luckily, GES students were exposed to both.