By Nate Cate

Just outside the main office of Plover-Whiting Elementary School, students have decorated a Christmas tree with the usual lights and ribbons — but also with hats and gloves.

The winter gear was donated by the students, part of a donation drive Operation Bootstrap. But the students aren’t stopping there.

“We also have students donating their time in other programs to help families around the holidays,” said Carl Coffman, the school’s principal.

Coffman said two of his students, a brother-sister team of Aubrey and Cale Richter, also raised $500 for the program Together We Rise, which helps children going into emergency foster care. The money paid for 20 duffel bag kits filled with blankets, stuffed animals, coloring books and personal hygiene kits.

The holiday spirit has also spread to Bannach Elementary, where students are raising funds for their “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Need” program.

Principal Jessica Champion said students brought spare change from home, to the tune of over $800 to donate to the cause, based on the school’s designated coin of the day.

Students were taken shopping by the school’s teachers at Target on Thursday.

Most schools across the district also participated in some type of service project, according to Sarah O’Donnell, director of communications for the district. Students at SPASH put together crisis packages for those in need, served meals at local shelters at rang bells for the Salvation Army.

Madison Elementary students also sang for residents at local assisted living facilities last week.