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Allen students Xplor true meaning of holidays: School adopts its own GI program
By J. David Barron, dbarron@starlocalnews.com
There's something special about giving during the holidays that holds more significance than usual, no doubt. But when the giving sets in motion blessings that continue long after the ornaments are put back into their boxes, then the "specialness" of Christmas realizes its true nature.
Being the professional educator she is, Xplor Director Kim Wilson put 2 + 2 together when components began adding up right in front of her. Wilson discovered there was a certain family with two children enrolled since the beginning of the 2011-12 scholastic year whose dad had recently returned from Afghanistan. That's when a light bulb appeared and Wilson responded by rallying her team into action.
"We wanted to do something different to teach our students the importance of giving back to our service members this holiday season," Wilson began. "And we wanted it to show our appreciation and respect for soldiers specifically that are deployed during the holidays. It was especially important to us that we did something tangible; that [the students] were able to see and learn from."
Combining something old with something new, Wilson asked Army vet Kyle Wells to help. Wells was the dad recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan who counts two children among the school's student populace. The Xplor staff employed the proven Adopt-A-Soldier program as its core for the project. They followed by enlisting Wells to help with picking out the school's beneficiary. The group capped off its innovative concept by erecting a special "Soldier Tree" in the school lobby to help attract donations.
The program began to breathe on its own after that.
"The teachers started talking with the children about the tree as soon as it went up at the beginning of December," Wilson recalled. "Our parents then got involved and they were amazing! Once they realized how excited the children were to see what was new under the tree each day, they brought in more items than could fit under it.
"We want to build a sense of social responsibility in our students," Wilson continued. "One of the best ways to do that we feel is to consistently provide them with opportunities to help others."
The recipient of the school's largesse turned out to be Army special agent Nick Nelson. The overwhelming response from the parents and students will allow Nelson to receive as Wilson and her staff originally intended: gifts that keep on giving throughout the upcoming year.
"It will help keep the holiday spirit going for [Nelson]," Wilson said.
In addition to his gifts, Nelson will also receive cards and letters and coordinating requests regarding his necessities.
"We are so grateful for everyone's commitment to help us [with this]," Wilson said on behalf of her staff.
Chances are Nelson will be even more grateful to receive the special feeling of Christmas all year long.
Being the professional educator she is, Xplor Director Kim Wilson put 2 + 2 together when components began adding up right in front of her. Wilson discovered there was a certain family with two children enrolled since the beginning of the 2011-12 scholastic year whose dad had recently returned from Afghanistan. That's when a light bulb appeared and Wilson responded by rallying her team into action.
"We wanted to do something different to teach our students the importance of giving back to our service members this holiday season," Wilson began. "And we wanted it to show our appreciation and respect for soldiers specifically that are deployed during the holidays. It was especially important to us that we did something tangible; that [the students] were able to see and learn from."
Combining something old with something new, Wilson asked Army vet Kyle Wells to help. Wells was the dad recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan who counts two children among the school's student populace. The Xplor staff employed the proven Adopt-A-Soldier program as its core for the project. They followed by enlisting Wells to help with picking out the school's beneficiary. The group capped off its innovative concept by erecting a special "Soldier Tree" in the school lobby to help attract donations.
The program began to breathe on its own after that.
"The teachers started talking with the children about the tree as soon as it went up at the beginning of December," Wilson recalled. "Our parents then got involved and they were amazing! Once they realized how excited the children were to see what was new under the tree each day, they brought in more items than could fit under it.
"We want to build a sense of social responsibility in our students," Wilson continued. "One of the best ways to do that we feel is to consistently provide them with opportunities to help others."
The recipient of the school's largesse turned out to be Army special agent Nick Nelson. The overwhelming response from the parents and students will allow Nelson to receive as Wilson and her staff originally intended: gifts that keep on giving throughout the upcoming year.
"It will help keep the holiday spirit going for [Nelson]," Wilson said.
In addition to his gifts, Nelson will also receive cards and letters and coordinating requests regarding his necessities.
"We are so grateful for everyone's commitment to help us [with this]," Wilson said on behalf of her staff.
Chances are Nelson will be even more grateful to receive the special feeling of Christmas all year long.
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