Christmas is the time of giving and Students for Social Justice (SSJ) are embracing the spirit. They started their Christmas fundraiser two weeks ago.

“We did a candy cane gram which is basically buy a candy cane and send it with a sweet ‘gram’,” senior and SSJ president Karen Rodriguez said. “It’s going towards adopting Angels.”

SJ raised about $100, but couldn’t use the money as they had originally planned.

“This money is going towards buying Toys for Tots because the school wasn’t doing Angels this year,” Rodriguez said. “We also came across a senior citizen who was in need of things for Christmas, so it’s for him as well.”

SSJ takes the meaning of giving to a whole new measure, not only during the holidays, but also throughout the whole year by volunteering at WARM, donating money to Wise Hope, and other fundraisers.

“I love SSJ because I get to help people who don’t have the ability to help themselves,” sophomore Wyatt Smither said. “It makes me think of others and how I can help them meet their needs.”

Currently participating are 28 students, but if anyone truly wants to join, speak with Rodriguez or senior and vice president Kaylee Higdon

“They get so excited and have a true sense of ownership in bettering the world,” sponsor and English teacher Sarah Durham said.

It doesn’t stop there; SSJ teaches the students important life skills.

“They learn responsibility because it’s totally run by them,” Durham said. “Then there’s societal awareness due to all the causes they support and overall just how to be productive in one’s society.”

Yet, the SSJ members are content in just seeing the happy faces of those they helped.

“Even if we’re all dead tired, we can see how much everyone appreciates us for helping them,” Higdon said. “It’s heart warming to know you’re being a part of something that means so much to the person in need.”

Despite the difficulty of planning meeting times due to extracurricular activities, jobs and different lunches, they manage to put together all the fundraisers.

“My favorite thing is how everyone will come to brainstorm ideas and work to make them happen,” Rodriguez said, “then using the money we earn to help out our causes.

With the school year half way over, they still have many fundraisers to go.

“SSJ not only helps the people but also gives an example to the community; anyone can help out and be a part of it,” junior Mary Gamboa said.