SACO — The holiday spirit was alive and well Wednesday afternoon at Thornton Academy.

For more than 20 years, the school community has held an annual gift giving campaign to benefit needy families in the community. 

Student Council Co-Advisor Mary Ann Martin said the Salvation Army identifies 12 needy families, and without disclosing the names gives the school information on what members of the families need for Christmas. 

Students from each grade on the high school level sponsor two families, the middle school sponsors a family, the dormitories sponsor two families and the maintenance department sponsors a family, said Martin.

In addition, members of the Thornton community purchase gift cards for about 30 students and also purchase gifts for a few families of students at the school, said Martin.

The gift drive culminates every year with a “wrapping party,” which this year was held at the school’s Mary Weymouth Hyde Library on Wednesday. 

Sophomore Elizabeth Wise sat on the floor of the library, carefully wrapping packages of baby wipes with Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper. 

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “We get to help people in the community and spread the Christmas spirit.”

Sophomore Corinne Riddle-Pinkham said she bought several items, including a DVD player for a girl who has a medical condition that requires hospital care, clothes and gift cards. She said she had a fun time shopping for the gifts. She said she knows money is tight for some families, and she liked being able to help others so they wouldn’t have to stress at Christmas time.

Senior Jack Webb, wearing a Christmas sweater with an image of Bill Belichick, was holding a large sack and collecting wrapped gifts. He said he thought the wrapping party was a great way to end school before Christmas break, as it got students together to do something that was both fun and productive. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.