Between the second week and third week in December, Head O’ Meadow Elementary School students had a chance to visit the school’s PTA-organized Holiday Shop, held this year in the school’s art room.

Students browsed golf sets, hot cocoa collections, cooking items, and many other offerings. Students then selected items to purchase for their loved ones.

As is tradition, for each item students purchased, $1 was set aside to be donated to a local charity.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said PTA event chair Laura Reef.

This year, Reef said the PTA “tried to kick it up a notch” by offering more present options for students to purchase for loved ones.

After making their purchases, students voted for the charity they want to support with the $1 from each item. This year’s Head O’ Meadow Holiday Giving Shop supports Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Ben’s Lighthouse, and FAITH Food Pantry.

PTA members and parent volunteers worked to help students wrap each item so they could take them home, ready to be gifted.

Once all the students had a chance to visit the Holiday Giving Shop, Reef reported the tallied votes mean Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will receive $648, Ben’s Lighthouse will receive $523, and FAITH Food Pantry will receive $419.

The donations are expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.