Mount Vernon students play Santa with gift basket giveaway

Dec. 9—MOUNT VERNON, S.D. — At Christmastime, people around the world aren't surprised to receive a gift from Santa, or at least from members of their family or close friends. It's an age-old tradition, after all.

But for those in the greater Mount Vernon community, it may be members of the high school senior class stopping by their home to deliver presents.

"It's pretty much for people who are in need and older people in the community," said Reed Rus, a member of the Mount Vernon High School senior class. "And we just go out and deliver them."

Rus and his classmates in the Class of 2023, along with a little help from the general student body, are in the process of raising funds to assemble gift baskets for people in and around Mount Vernon. The baskets are assembled during the month of December and contain a variety of gift items, ranging from entertaining items like puzzles to blankets and gift certificates to local businesses.

It's a project that's been going on for a few years at the school, said Eric Denning, high school principal for the Mount Vernon School District, and it has traditionally been spearheaded by the senior classes.

"We started doing this a few years back. Part of our social emotional learning curriculum is having our senior class doing community service projects. The seniors kind of brainstormed this a few years ago and got the ball rolling on it, and it's taken off from there," Denning said. "And this year's class has taken it over."

The process begins with a fundraising campaign that welcomes donors to contribute to the project. Rus recorded a video of himself inviting the community to take part in the campaign, and Denning set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of $3,500. Those proceeds go toward purchasing items for the gift baskets.

A list of potential basket recipients is drawn up, with a focus on Mount Vernon alumni, former district teachers, individuals with a connection to someone in the senior class and other folks in the community who may need a dose of Christmas cheer.

"The senior class goes through a list of people, and they can add or subtract from the list from the previous year. We do our best to make sure we don't leave anybody out that we feel would be in need or could use a little pick-me-up before Christmas," Denning said. "We try to use it as a link to the community. A lot of these people might be former teachers or elderly, or someone who maybe recently lost a loved one. We try to be cognizant of those things when we're picking the list and try not to leave anybody out."

The class usually assembles 40 to 50 baskets per year. When they have their funds in hand, they go out to purchase whatever they need to include in the basket. This year, the class is looking to possibly include some baked goods made by members of the class to give the baskets a more personal touch.

The time spent together with classmates is part of the reason the project is so enjoyable, Rus said. But while coming together is a fun experience, the project becomes even more fun when the class splits up into small groups on the last day of school before Christmas break. That's when they head out into the community to make deliveries.

That's when the project's impact really hits home. Those who receive the baskets are very appreciative of the gifts, but many seem just as grateful for a visit from local youth from the Mount Vernon School District.

"I would say the best part as a class is splitting up into little groups and delivering them. Going up to the doors and knocking and seeing them come out and giving them the gift basket. You see their faces light up," Rus said. "Some of them don't see many people very often, so you get to stand there and talk with them for a couple of minutes. That's probably the best part."

The project GoFundMe has raised about $2,150 out of a goal of $3,000, and Denning said the fundraiser will continue until around Dec. 19. After that, they'll know how much they have available to spend on each basket and can get to work buying the gifts and assembling the baskets.

And then comes the best part — visiting folks in the Mount Vernon community and spreading a little Christmas cheer, one house at a time. Rus said it's time well-spent to brighten residents' day and to let them know that students and staff at Mount Vernon High School are thinking about them this holiday season.

"We want to show them that we're doing some good things and leaving a good impression about the school," Rus said.

Donations to the Mount Vernon High School gift basket project can be made at the project GoFundMe by going to

gofundme.com and searching for "MVHS Community Service Holiday Gift Baskets."

Those wishing to donate directly can get more information by calling the Mount Vernon School District at 605-236-5237.