At St. Christopher School, each grade level adopted a charitable organization, and collected items to donate to the agency. The kindergartners collected games, art supplies and books for Sacred Heart Community Center Preschool, while the third-graders gathered baby items, books and toys for the Georgia Travis Center, a day program for homeless women and children. The school will wrap up its Thanksgiving fundraiser with a prayer service on Nov. 17.

Emceed by the fifth-graders, the service will also include songs, Scripture readings and prayers of thanks from the students.

"The kids get excited to present the gifts to each representative," says campus minister Debby Carey. "The representatives thank the students, and it's really touching. And the kids get to see them receive their gifts. It's nice to have that face-to-face contact."

At Booksin Elementary School, students are in the midst of their biannual food drive, which runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19. The school is collecting non-perishable food items from students and community members. Residents can drop food in the collection bins located at the front of the school, 1590 Dry Creek Road.

Parent volunteer Debby Santina says she and her children have encouraged neighbors to participate in the drive.

"My kids really enjoy it," she says. "I personally take the kids around the neighborhood. It lets the neighbors, many of whom are older or don't have kids, know how to make a donation."

At Presentation High School, students and staff are busy collecting food, turkeys and toys for the Sacred Heart Community Center, a service that provides food and clothing for people in need. Community members are also invited to donate items. Presentation High School is located at 2281 Plummer Ave.

Through Nov. 23, residents can drop off non-perishable food at the school. And Nov. 23 is Turkey Day, in which the school focuses specifically on gathering gobblers for a Thanksgiving feast. According to publicity director Diane Gatto, the school collected about 300 turkeys last year. From Nov. 22 to Nov. 24, the school is also gathering toys for children of all ages.

The giving spirit has also descended upon Schallenberger Elementary. The school is participating in an Adopt-a-Family program, in which needy students' families receive baskets stuffed with food, clothing, gift certificates and other goods. Last year, the school's efforts provided 40 families with holiday cheer.

Throughout the year, students and staff collect recyclable goods, which they turn in for money. The school also accepts donations from families and local businesses, and staff members purchase toys and other needed items.

"It's a big project," fifth-grade teacher Donna Reyerson-Caeith says. "It takes the whole staff. It's a huge undertaking."

Kindergarten teacher and Willow Glen resident Vickie Long shouldered the responsibility this year to chair the Adopt-a-Family program.

The school also wrapped up its annual food drive, which benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. The drive was coordinated by Gail Hodgin.

Giving back to the community is an important part of the learning process at Schallenberger Elementary School, Reyerson-Caeith says.

"Schallenberger has a huge heart," she says. "We have a strong community involvement, and we want students to feel like they are a part of something larger. And we want them to start learning the value of giving at a young age."