The holiday season is synonymous with giving, and EHS students took that message to heart. In a display of school spirit and community service, on December 20, a dedicated group of EHS students volunteered at the Hands of Hope food bank to ensure local families celebrated a merry Christmas.

The distribution was organized by the Hands of Hope Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP) as part of their Eagles Against Hunger Initiative, which recruited volunteers from the Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS) and Rotary to volunteer at the Christmas distribution. YAP President Chris Saavedra ‘26 and Vice President Kayen Lo ‘26 helped arrange the event for EHS students to participate in.

The day of the initiative began early in the morning in the church, where volunteers worked to organize mounds of donated Christmas toys and clothing, sorting them into specific age groups.

As the distribution officially began, the scale of the effort became apparent. The SNHS and Rotary volunteers ended up serving around 250 to 300 families, translating to approximately 750 to 1000 individuals receiving aid.

To manage this volume, the operation was split into two fronts. Outside, volunteers hauled boxes and bags filled with food to individuals arriving at the food bank. Simultaneously, families with young kids were invited inside for a full holiday experience. Children had the chance to meet Santa Claus and pick out their own gifts, ranging from fun toys, story books, and winter essentials.

“I am honored and privileged to have served so many people,” Saavedra said. “It really showed the power of teamwork and compassion. It was incredible to see the EHS community come together, and seeing the young kids smile was the best reward we could ask for.”

Lo also emphasized how the event connected the students to the wider, diverse population of Edison.

“We feel accomplished knowing we helped such a large number of people from different races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds,” he said. “It’s an enlightening feeling to know we helped feed countless families and make their Christmas dreams come true.”

The event served as a bridge between current students and the school’s legacy of service. The volunteer force was heavily composed of EHS students working alongside Kush Patel ‘14, the volunteer coordinator of Hands of Hope and an EHS alumnus.

With Saavedra and Lo leading the operation, the atmosphere among the student volunteers was one of focused excitement and unity.

“The spirit in the air was just incredible throughout the whole day,” said Navaneeth Krishna ‘27. “Seeing so many of us come together to assist these families was a really grounding experience, and the smooth organization made it really easy for us to focus on following our tasks.”

Alongside providing goods to families in need, the event also recruited many first-time volunteers.“I signed up after Chris and Kayen shared the opportunity at our last Rotary meeting, and I am incredibly glad I did,” said Karthik Routhu ‘28. “This was my first time volunteering at Hands of Hope, but after seeing the difference we made today, I will definitely be returning.”Once the crowds dispersed, the volunteers were treated to pizza as a reward for the service they contributed. Through their efforts, the students proved that the EHS community is committed to making a tangible difference in Edison and Middlesex County, one gift at a time.