LINDEN — Santa and his reindeer have arrived early at North Montgomery Middle School this year. Friday marked the third year for Project Evergreen at the school.
Project Evergreen is a program dedicated to giving back to the families of service members. Former students of North Montgomery who have gone on to serve in the armed forces are chosen at random to receive live fir trees for the holidays as a thank you for their service.
Project Evergreen grew out of an idea around Veteran’s Day. North Montgomery teacher Jodi Webster started the program when she started teaching history at the middle school. She wanted a way to emphasize giving back to the community and respecting our men and women serving oversees or away from their families around the holidays.
“I really wanted my students to get involved in the community, and this was a project that really allowed them to both experience the holiday season and a commitment to something bigger than themselves,” Webster said.
Webster has since expanded the project to be a school-wide fundraiser with the entire social studies department helping.
On Friday, four families were invited into the school for cookies, beverages, and a bit of cheer. Current middle school students started out the festivities with a slide show explaining the project and what the school had done. They then honored the soldiers and their families with a round of applause. Cookies and milk accompanied a meet and greet with Santa Claus who made a special appearance just for the occasion.
Oak Hill Farm donated the trees.
While working with veteran families, Webster also became connected with Blue Star Mothers.
Blue Star Mothers is an organization that exists to help any and all service members both in the military and once their act of service is complete. Any of the extra money raised by the students will go towards helping them with their Christmas goals to help soldiers’ families.
“It was really nice to honor our former students and to see them grown into such dedicated, helpful men and women,” Webster said.
The school will continue to raise money for the project until Wednesday, with all proceeds going toward Blue Star Mothers.
