Pine Crest School in Boca gets into ‘spirit of giving’

Published December 11th, 2007

Students at Pine Crest School got a chance to take part in a no-holds-barred shopping spree – and, at the same time, help hundreds of less fortunate children at the same time.

Members of the school’s National Junior Beta Club, an academic organization dedicated to leadership in the community, recently raised more than $2,400 through their fall bake sales. They used the money to purchase new toys, electronics and games as part of the Spirit of Giving Holiday Gift Drive to benefit underprivileged children in the community.

After an evening-long shopping spree at Toys R’ Us and Best Buy, the students donated the gifts to Kids In New Directions (KIND), a non-profit organization that serves disadvantaged youth throughout Palm Beach County. KIND is one of several non-profit groups, along with Boca Helping Hands, Caridad Health Center and Children’s Place South, among others, that are involved in this year’s Spirit of Giving program.

It is expected to reach more than 2,000 children this holiday season.

“The act of children helping children less fortunate than themselves is so heartwarming,” said Natalie Cwick, executive director of KIND. “More than just donating money, Pine Crest’s
students put thought into the items they purchased, and that makes all the difference. The qualities that drive their actions will sustain these children throughout their lives and everyone feels the benefit of the outcome.”

For students at Pine Crest, the experience was just as rewarding. “To know that we can make the holidays a little bit brighter for other children means a lot,” said eighth grader Sarah Wallach. “Every kid deserves to have something special during this time of year.”

Pine Crest School at Boca Raton is an independent school with 900 students. It offers a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade college preparatory education.