By Carol Britton Meyer

In the spirit of generosity and caring for one’s neighbors for which this town is known, Hull Public Schools students and staff are helping to make the lives of families in need a little brighter during the holidays through what Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn called many “acts of kindness.”

Project 351 Ambassador Emily Irby, a ninth-grader, is holding a food drive through Dec. 9. Each grade has an assigned English teacher to whom they can drop off cans of food and other non-perishable items.

Fellow Project 351 ambassador and eighth-grader Bruno Andrews-Mundo is conducting a food drive to support Wellspring Multi-Service Center during the holidays.

Jacobs Elementary School held a food drive for Wellspring as part of its Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, which was a huge success.

The Jacobs School is currently participating in the “Mittens Program,” with adjustment counselors reaching out to families who may need assistance with holiday gifts that are then purchased by staff members and donated anonymously from gift ideas written on “mittens.”

HPS also works with Hull’s “Stretch Your Food Budget” program to deliver meals to families in the community who could use a helping hand.

During the December holidays, Memorial Middle School staff “adopt” families who would benefit from some assistance, providing toys and gift cards anonymously, an effort that is coordinated by the school counselors

Hull High School counselors request donations from staff to purchase gift cards for students and families in need to use at Marshalls and/or T.J. Maxx.

In addition, counselors in each building work to connect families with the Hanover YMCA, which has a gift assistance program. Each year donors adopt local families who need assistance and provide holiday gifts for their children. Moms, Dads, and other caregivers can sign up using a link for personalized gifts for kids, including clothing sizes.

Hull Fire Department Toy Drive organizers coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of children in need in elementary and early middle school grades to provide them with holiday gifts, according to Kuehn. “Also, the Hull Police fill a cruiser with toys and coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of families in need,” she said.