Thanksgiving is a time for giving. No one knows this better than the students in the World Language Honor Society at Woodland. Since 2002, this group of students has been putting together and donating Thanksgiving gift baskets to various organizations.

The World Language Honor Society is not the only group that participates in the tradition, however. Many of the donations come from advisories that volunteer to help.

“Advisories volunteer to donate and assemble an entire basket with a gift card, money to purchase a gift card, or to bring in various food items,” said Kim Athan, advisor of the World Language Honor Society.

As to where the baskets are donated, they are delivered to St. Anthony’s Church in Prospect, and have been given to St. Mary’s Hospital in the past.

Included in the baskets are various foods that are typically found at a Thanksgiving meal.

“We place food items in the baskets that are necessary for a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Athan. “For example, sweet potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, boxed potatoes, and canned vegetables.”

This year, the World Language Honor Society was very successful, receiving a generous amount of donations.

“We were able to assemble 18 baskets,” said Athan. “And we purchased $290 in gift cards.”

This group of students has learned what the true meaning of giving is. By putting these baskets together each year, they are allowing less fortunate families to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and the holiday.