Moon Students Host Christmas Party with a Heart

freshman Emily D’Amico and her friends wanted to throw a Christmas party with a generous twist.

“We wanted to give back,” D’Amico said. “We wanted to have a get-together with all of our friends and at the same time help kids in need.”

So D’Amico consulted two other Emilys: Moon freshmen Emily Rode and Emily Penberthy, and the trio decided to host a weekend Christmas party to gather donations for Toys for Tots.

The students aren’t receiving credit for their work. The party is not a project for a class or a way to wrack up community service hours.

“No, we just wanted to do it,” D’Amico said. “We wanted to incorporate donating into the party." 

This evening, D’Amico and nearly 100 students will gather at for the Christmas fete. Each guest will bring a gift that will be donated to Toys for Tots. 

Any toy will do, D’Amico said. She and her friends used Facebook to spread word about the holiday celebration.  

“It will be just like dancing and food,” D'Amico said of the get-together. “Not everyone can buy a $20 gift. So anything like $5 and up will be great.”

Midway through the party, D’Mico’s parents will gather the toys and take them to Beaver County Toys for Tots in Ambridge, which serves the area. 

D’Amico said a trip to church camp spurred the idea for the party—she said a service focused on giving made her want to make an impact herself.  More than a month of planning has gone into the event, she said. 

“I’m sort of nervous,” D’Amico said of playing host to more than 100 of her peers. “I’ve been making decorations, and we’re going out to get last-minute supplies. Stuff like that.”