BOUNTIFUL — Viewmont High School students used tons of fun and creativity to collect approximately $31,000 to make sure local families have a happy holiday.
Teens did everything from collecting donations to witness a teacher kissing a pig to charging money to throw a pie in someone's face.
"It's fun to give, but at the same time enjoy ourselves," said Viewmont High student body vice president Jared Vanhille, 18.
The Christmas project has been a 23-year tradition at the school. This year the art teacher created ceramic bowls and sold donated soup. Two teachers bet on their classroom fundraising, and the loser had to shave his head. The students had a lunchtime carnival with heaps of food and games.
Friday, Viewmont students delivered $16,000 in gifts to Guadalupe Schools, an independent, nonprofit organization that educates disadvantaged children and non-English speaking adult immigrants in Salt Lake City. The program includes a K-3 charter school with 85 students, all of whom are low income.
"It was so wonderful just to see these kids' faces when they got their Christmas gifts," said Breckon Heywood, 26, a marketing teacher and student body officer adviser at Viewmont. Purchased and donated items included coats, boots, blankets, clothes and toys.
Some of Viewmont's collected funds went to local needy families, many of whom are students attending Viewmont High. "It was just really good to make a difference in someone's life," Vanhille said.
The remainder of the funds were sent to the Davis School Foundation, the fundraising arm of Davis School District. The money helps fund enrichment and learning projects not funded through the normal school budgetary process — anything from music instruments for needy students to art programs.
Parent Julie Barlow, whose son Adam Barlow helped with the project, said she thinks the teens gained a lot through their service. "The kids learned that giving is important," she said. "It's been burnt into their souls."
e-mail: astewart@desnews.com. TWITTER: AKStewDesNews