https://mirror.triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/annual-student-holiday-shopping-event-raises-money-for-leechburg-area-learning-support-program/
Annual student holiday shopping event raises money for Leechburg Area Learning Support Program
The holiday shopping scene was in full force Wednesday at Leechburg Area High School.
The annual Holiday Sale welcomed students on Day Two of the three-day event that benefits students enrolled in the district’s Learning Support Program.
Coordinator and founder Michelle Ferretti started the shopping fundraiser 23 years ago. That one featured a single table and three student shoppers.
Since then, the shopping experience has grown, with hundreds of students participating from all grades.
“We offer this to students in the Learning Support Program to give them a chance to experience holiday shopping,” Ferretti said.
Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Leechburg Area School District teacher Michelle Ferretti (left) helps wrap gifts Wednesday with fourth grader Caeden Simon (center) and 10th grader Chloe Martin during the annual Holiday Sale.About a dozen high school student volunteers from Leechburg Area and Lenape Tech were on hand to assist elementary-age students with their purchases and wrapping of gifts.
Items for sale ranged in cost from $1 to $5.
Ferretti collects donated gift items, many of them new, throughout the year.
The room is staged with shopping stations, which include a stuffed animal area, children’s toys, clothing, Santa-themed gifts and board games.
“I call it Christmas chaos,” Ferretti said. “But my favorite thing is when we finally get all of the students through, and they have all their presents and they’re happy and excited to have something to share at home.”
Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review The annual Holiday Sale room is filled with more than 1,000 items for sale at Leechburg Area High School.The event raises hundreds of dollars each year that help pay for two learning support activities: the end-of-the-year field trip and a picnic.
Senior Eli Verner returned to volunteer a second time this season. Verner helped David Leech Elementary third grader Wyatt Hoch wrap several presents he bought Wednesday morning.
Hoch even gave himself a little holiday cheer.
“I bought myself a Spongebob Ants in the Pants game,” Hock said.
For Verner, helping the younger students is something he enjoys.
“It’s just fun for them,” Verner said, “and they get to buy things for their families.”
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