Meridian High School’s Give Before You Get & Winter Wishes

In 2011, Meridian High School began an ambitious goal to grant wishes that MHS staff and students had for MHS students to brighten the season for students we care about in whatever way we can.  Through the efforts, our leadership teacher, leadership
class, our staff, and generous donations from our community, Winter Wishes has grown in scope and created new opportunities for students in December.  

Each November, on “Wish Day,” students are given the opportunity to wish for a friend, a classmate-anyone for whom they think might need a wish granted.  Staff are also given this opportunity to wish for MHS students.  Wishes are
big and small.  Wishes include things like a gift card for a friend who likes coffee, a new winter coat, or paying for driver’s education class.

 

Our ASB Leadership class also begins their work by contacting local businesses for donated items to be used to grant wishes.  Cash donations are also accepted from businesses, alumni, the community, and Meridian staff.  Each year the amount
of donations continues to rise, even through COVID.  A few weeks later, those students then shop for identified items after school as a class. Students don’t know who they are buying for just what they need to get.

 

Wishes that have been granted include gift cards for clothing, gas, groceries, and other needs; clothes and shoes; essential technology needs; and other items that can help a student be more successful in school, extra-curricular activities, or at home.
 

After an assembly on the final day of “Snowcoming,” which is the last day before break, all students receive a card.  Some cards provide students with further instructions to pick up their gifts during lunch.  With so many gifts
being granted and surprise gifts for other students (our goal is for each student to get an item as an underclassman and again as an upperclassman), students who may have been singled out are one of many getting a gift.  

 

It is one of the best days of the year, to watch students as they get their gifts and see others get excited about their wish for another student coming true.  We wanted to build on this experience, and in 2019 began a new tradition called Give Before
You Get.  

 

On this day, MHS students will have the opportunity to engage in several local service projects.  In the past, these have included donating and packaging gifts for homeless teens, victims of abuse, and flood victims; writing notes of thanks and encouragement
to local first responders and hospitalized children; packaging food for local families; creating “Battle Winter Boredom” kits for elementary students; caroling at assisted living facilities; and many other projects around campus.  Students have
also gone to our elementary school to read, assist, and role-model in classrooms.  Using the power of over 450 students and a staff of 50, our goal is to provide support and goodwill in whatever way we can.  Projects typically last 40-70
minutes.  Time is carved out of the day in order to not impact classrooms.  Some projects last longer, and those students do miss some classroom time.