Holy Redeemer, Marshall gets involved in Heart to Heart program

The Youth of Holy Redeemer parish in Marshall, MN, decided to have a fundraiser to buy gifts for teens and donate them to the local Heart to Heart Program. Heart to Heart is a local group that gathers food and gifts for those in need at Christmas. The youth were asked to raise enough money to buy four $20 gifts per classroom. They took this to heart and sold items from a gift catalog to their friends and family. They were able to raise $4,900 for Heart to Heart. With the money raised they bought gifts for teens that they would like to receive. They brought them back to class, wrapped them, and marked them for distribution. We had hoped to buy 92 gifts, in the end the students purchased 216 gifts for the Heart to Heart program. The teens did an excellent job of sharing the joy. In talking to the students they never realized there were so many families in need right in our own back yard. It was an eye opener for them. The students felt this was a great learning experience and are looking forward to a repeat performance next year.