Sixth-graders at Triadelphia Middle School had hoped to collect 131 items one for each sixth-grade student at the school - to pack in holiday gift baskets this week.
They far surpassed their goal.
As of Wednesday afternoon, they had more than 270 items, ranging from cans of corn and peas to soap products and toothpaste. And the collection drive continues as schools across Ohio County celebrate "American Education Week" though Friday.
This year's theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." As part of the celebration, local schools have planned events such as open houses, luncheons with grandparents and anti-tobacco programs.
At Triadelphia Middle School, the Builders Club is collecting items for gift baskets for local families. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes each are focusing on one family, according to teacher Heidi Hohman.
"Our overall goal as a school is to have students volunteer for something charitable," said Vice Principal Zac Shutler.
He arranged the product collection drive through the local Easter Seals. The students are responsible for not just collecting items, but for also packaging them and packing them onto a van for transport, he noted. Students who aren't able to bring in items have asked if they might donate their time to help prepare them, according to Shutler. They receive no reward other that the joy of volunteering, he noted.
Other schools in the county are staging their own events: