During the holiday season, students and staff gave back to the community through the Angel Tree program. Faculty members as well as student clubs and organizations had the opportunity to give gifts to elementary and middle school students in the Kingwood area affected by the flood. 

“The whole family at KPARK is saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to go out and make sure that we take care of our community,’ which I think is pretty dang awesome,” assistant principal Mack Malone said. 

Students and faculty members were encouraged to bring gifts to donate to young students whose families were impacted by Tropical Depression Imelda. This year, the donations are going to around 100 kids in need, primarily from Elm Grove Elementary. 

“When you’re a kid and you’re losing all your toys, you’re losing all your games, [it’s important] to know there’s someone out there that’s like, ‘I’m going to be there for you, it’s going to be okay,'” Malone said.  

Not only is the program bringing some relief to those receiving the donations, Angel Tree is also beneficial to the students and staff who are giving to people in need. Malone said the program helps bring to light the powerful lesson of “paying it forward” during this time of year.

“It’s not about you– it’s about someone else and making sure that you open your heart up to someone else,” Malone said. “It’s one of those things where you have to do for others.”