Traditions and Giving

There is something delightful about staying inside a snow fort that you and your friends built. It feels warm and nice, even though it's below freezing temperatures. I have built a snow fort every year, for 3 years now. It usually has 4 walls, no roof, and a path leading to the opening to get in. Last year I built the fort with my brother and a few friends. Each year after building our fort, we went inside and enjoyed hot chocolate (but last year, it was warmed up chocolate milk).  This is just one sweet tradition my family and friends have.

As a family we also believe in giving to others.  For example we went with our cousin Luke from Haiti, and we packed thousands of bags of food for people in Haiti when they had a natural disaster. The country was devastated by it. “The Packathon” for Haiti packaged just over 153,000 meals. Also, my brother Zev and I volunteered over 200 hours of our time at sports camps. We always volunteer to help and my sister has over 1000 volunteer hours.  My family believes that volunteering and giving are exceptional ways to help the community.

My family also likes to extend our giving traditions to animals. Whenever we find a stray dog or cat nearby, we like to take it in and foster it until someone else wants to take care of it. For example, a little more than a year ago I was looking out the car window and saw a stray dog. He was so skinny I could see all his ribs. When my mom and I first got out of the car, he was a bit scared. However, when I got a cup of water for him he ran over and ended up being a really nice dog. We got him in the car and drove him home. We fed him, bathed him, and walked him until another family contacted us and wanted him. We made sure it was the right family and then gave him and all his favorite toys to the family.

My family and I highly enjoy sharing our traditions and giving to the community.

By Gus Smith, 8th Grade Student