Preview: Marion Independent's Giving Project

Growing up poor gave Marion Independent High School teacher Madonna Puttnam perspective on the silent challenges many students face.

That's her motivation for devoting time over the last 20 years or more to aiding the families of students.

Times are tough for the families of students in the Marion Independent School District, so more families are coming to the school district to receive food, clothing and Christmas gifts, through the Marion Holiday Giving Project.

"There are many families who are on free and reduce lunch that really struggle," she said. "We have many families that have recently lost their jobs in the last year or two."

This year, Puttnam and other volunteers for the Holiday Giving Project so far has "adopted" 132 families. This is an all-time high for the program that started with only a few families on the roster.

Puttnam said she thinks it is a response to the troubled economy placing greater hardships on behalf of already-struggling families.

Michelle Wilson, a social worker for the , said all schools are involved with the program in some way. All five schools in the district contribute to the food drive and three of the schools participate in the clothing drive. Community businesses also take part in donating money that are used to buy Christmas gifts.

Additionally, Marion Independent High School students participate by adopting families as well. Students in the school are part of "mentor groups." Each mentor group adopts a family.

Wilson thinks this act of giving can have a positive impact on the students.

"It is helping kids become more aware outside themselves," she said. "Look at the needs of the community, be grateful for what they have and hopefully give back now and in the future."

Wilson said residents can get involved by adopting families and donating cash for gifts. She said anyone who is interested should contact her at mwilson@marion.k12.ia.us. 

Even with the increased need, Puttnam said she is confident that they will meet the increased need for help, for no other reason than they always seem to.

"I really feel God is at fault here," she said. "We always come up with providing all of it. It always works out, even though it is crazy."