Woburn High School Participates in Third Annual Charity Fundraiser for Mexico

by Andrew Madanjian

WMHS BullsEye Staff

This past December, Woburn Memorial High School hosted its third annual charity fundraiser to send gifts to an orphanage in Mexico. Woburn High Spanish teacher Katherine Bolcome originally joined with her church to work with the orphanage and surrounding village. For the past three years, Bolcome has brought the initiative to the attention of the school to help spread some holiday cheer to Mexico.

“They take all kinds of sponsorship year round, but they do this special Christmastime initiative for anyone who wants to be involved called Harvest Hands. They asked for Christmas boxes to be made up for the kids. Since it’s a Spanish class, I thought it would be great for my students to write them little notes. We send not only things they need, but also things that they would like to get,” said Bolcome.

Students volunteer their time and donate gifts to arrange these boxes to be sent to the orphanage in Mexico. In addition to sending toys to make sure they have a merry Christmas, necessities such as clothing, soaps, and shampoos are also sent. Once all of the donations are in boxes and prepared, students can also volunteer to spend time wrapping the boxes before sending them off.

Senior Allie Pappas has volunteered for the past two years and has found the experience immensely rewarding and is glad to have played a part of this fundraiser.

“Since it’s Christmas, it’s important to give, especially for kids who don’t have anything. This year we had a lot of volunteers for wrapping. The more the better,” said Pappas.

Bolcome is equally thrilled with the level of involvement and compassion on behalf of the student body.

“It’s amazing. Every year, there’s a very short span of time in which to get this done. We have about a week and a half to get supplies, boxes, money for postage. Every year I am amazed at the number of people who come for it. We didn’t have enough money this year or last year in terms of sending them through the mail, but as soon as I put out an email or tell the kids about it, people always come forward with the money and we’re able to do it. And, it’s not just money, but students are learning that it can be just giving your time to come help wrap boxes,” said Bolcome.

This fundraiser not only benefits this great cause, but helps spread awareness of the issue and gets students at Woburn Memorial High School benevolently thinking of others during the holiday season.