Every year students and teachers participate in the KGW Toy Drive, but this year the end product has been better than ever. Renaissance collected over $1,000 dollars.

Staff and students used a variety of techniques to boost morale and funds. Math teacher MaLynda Wolfer has added cookies to her method.

“I make cookies and sell them to students and staff for one dollar, so I can give the money that is earned to the Toy Drive itself,” Wolfer said. “Selling the cookies are also my way of giving back to the kind souls that gave me and my family a Christmas tree when we did not have the money.”

Her students bought the cookies so they could give back as well.

“The first thing I noticed was that they were cookies, but once I realized that buying them would help people, I had to buy one,” junior Rafael Castellanos said.

Another student had a specific reason to buy from Wolfer.

“I have always wanted to find some way to help people, and when I found out about Wolfer’s deal, I had to get in on it,” junior Marissa Reisen said. “It is a good way to donate to the Toy Drive, but the benefit from donating to Wolfer is that you get something sweet back.”
Math teacher Olivia Green’s class donated to the Toy Drive using a unique method.
“Basically, I ditched the rules of making just my third period class collect money and got all of my classes to contribute. I would tell them everyday to bring a toy or two and put them under the tree in my classroom,” Green said.
However, as the Toy Drive went on, the competition gained intensity.
“Once I saw that Wolfer was selling cookies to her students, I knew the competition was on. I would buy treats from the store and let the students name the price of each one for the day. This way, my students and I were competing with Wolfer and donating at the same time,” Green said.
While the competition between Wolfer’s class and Green’s class was getting a bit heated, AVID and ELD teacher Julie Rowell had a different competition going on.

“Some of the students in my class that used to be in band wanted to compete with Ms. Blanshan’s class because her class won last year,” Rowell said.

Rowell did not go out of her way to publicize the drive, but she said that it happened genuinely.

“It was pure generosity. One of my students just put a $20 bill in, and I was in shock of how kind they were to donate that much money in these hard times,” Rowell said.
Competition between the classes rose higher and higher, but Wolfer’s class ended up winning with over a whopping $600, while Green’s class earned just above $400.

“Overall, all of the money went to a wonderful cause of giving toys to children in need, and I could not be any more proud of my students and what they accomplished,” Green said.

This year’s Toy Drive has not only brought competition but also gratitude to those who care for others. In spite of this world, the Toy Drive has shown that there are some people who do good things, one $20 bill at a time.