Post Messenger Recorder -

Author Deepak Chopra notes, "Treat every moment as a gift, that is why it is called the present." Families in Belleville recently received a very special gift – the gift of time and community fellowship as the Belleville PTO, teachers, staff, and students again collaborated to give families a night to remember. As a result, this year's Holiday Gift Shop was a wonderful success!

This special night in December offers students a chance to shop for anyone on their list – and at only $3 per gift, all students can manage to afford to take part in the season of gifting. Fifth grade through high school-aged students take on a prominent role for the evening's festivities as well, as they are tasked with helping set up for the event and taking it down at its close. These same students also assist with the wrapping of gifts as items are purchased from tables of merchandise laid out in the confines of the elementary school gym, which is transformed for one special night of holiday shopping, excitement, and surprises.

This event serves as one more reminder that Belleville Schools are linked tightly with the community at large, and while the Belleville PTO takes on a key role in planning and making the Holiday Gift Shop happen year after year, other community players share spotlight roles as the Belleville Fire Department lends a truck and shoppers are delighted with the annual appearance of Santa to the joy of all who participate!

Belleville Elementary Principal Kelsey Schmit is thrilled that this event happens each year, "The annual Holiday Gift Shop is such a special event. We are so thankful for the PTO, who spend hours preparing and setting up, volunteers who help the event run smoothly and families who participate. It is a unique experience for kids to be able to shop and choose a gift for their family members that can be kept a surprise. The book fair and a visit from Santa also make it a full night for all to enjoy!"

These moments are truly gifts at this time of year where goodwill is emphasized and everyone takes a little time out of their busy schedules to pause and remember that the biggest present one can offer is the gift of one's time to help bring about happiness – especially in the life of a youth! This is the key take away from this annual holiday event, as students work alongside adults to make everyone have the possibility of a better holiday season.

As students leave at the end of the night with their hand-picked and hand-wrapped items, one can just make out the excited chatter of what grandpa and grandma are getting, or mom and dad will be receiving – after all, these are the moments both young and old will remember for a lifetime, so the experience of participating in a community event like the Holiday Gift Shop is truly the ultimate present of this season of giving!