Students wrap Tree of Hearts gifts

A group of Plains Elementary School students took time away from classes last week to wrap gifts for the Sheriff's Relief Fund program.

Thirty-two members of the sixth grade classes of Meg Feist and Sandra Jirasko raised $412.43 for this year's Tree of Hearts, a program for underprivileged children in Sanders County. The kids gathered last Wednesday for about an hour to wrap the presents for the program.

"I think it's a good way for the kids to learn how to give and give back to the community," said Feist, who came up with the idea to participate in the program. The teachers said they had as much fun as the kids in raising the money and wrapping the gifts.

All the elementary school students raised the money by paying $1 each Friday to wear a hat to school. On Tuesdays, they paid $1 to bring a stuffed animal to class, said Jirasko. This is the third year for the school to participate in the program. A member of the Sanders County Sheriff's Office picked up the presents the same day,

The teachers bought all the gifts, which ranged from about $2 to $25 at the Posh Hippy, Mangy Moose Mercantile, Gambles Hardware, and Colleen's Country Store, all in Plains. The students put together eight gift bags - four boys and four girls - for the program. The teachers bought the gifts Friday evening. The money raised also paid for the gift wrap and supplies.

The Sanders County Sheriff's Office has done the Tree of Hearts program for around 20 years.