Over the past few weeks, Lake Orion students, families and staff have shared the true spirt of the holidays and made the season special for the less fortunate in our community.
All of the schools hosted food drives that support the efforts of the Lake Orion Lions Club, Oxford/Orion FISH and other local food pantries.
Combined, the schools collected more than 20,000 food items.
A number of schools also hosted Giving Tree programs to provide gifts to underprivileged children. Middle school students also held penny wars among the classes to raise money to buy presents.
Nearly 100 families received gifts through these efforts. Students also donated coats, hats, mittens and scarves for distribution to hundreds of children in the Lake Orion area through the Lions Club.
In addition, students remembered active and retired service members this time of the year, too. Scripps Middle School adopted a service member deployed overseas and sent her unit holiday care packages. Stadium drive students made homemade Christmas cards for vets at the VA hospital in Detroit.
Other elementary and middle school students visited area nursing homes and senior centers to sing Christmas carols and hand out gifts to residents and visitors.
The high school concert band and choir shared their talents by hosting a special free holiday concert for seniors and vets.