For the last twenty years, Alliance for the Children has helped thousands of children during the holidays. This program was first introduced to Neuqua by science teacher Paula Mueller twelve years ago.
The donations brought in by Neuqua students go on to help those in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Thousands of 
children are helped every year in this area just from Neuqua student’s donations alone.
For those who are less fortunate, Christmas can still be an event worth remembering. Every year, the directors and members of the alliance meet with principals and administrators of schools with underprivileged students. The parents of the students who are most needy then fill out a form with his or her child’s clothing sizes and toy preferences.
After all donations have been collected, the alliance then puts two outfits, a pack of underwear and socks, and boots or shoes in a bag. Then, the bag is placed along with another bag with four to six toys for the child according to his or her age. These bags are then delivered to the appropriate school of the child it is for, and the parent of that child can come to pick it up.
The point of these gift donations is for the parents to have the opportunity to give their sons and daughters an enjoyable Christmas experience. It is because of this that the Alliance for the Children members do not have any interaction with the students who are receiving the gifts, nor do the kids know that the gifts they are getting are donations.
In addition to giving donations to those in need, the alliance also has other benefits. Since the program has started, schools that receive assistance have also significantly increased their test scores. Students have been missing fewer days of school. “Before the kids missed about 45 days of school” says Paula Mueller “and now it’s gone to about 5 days.” Alliance for the children is a great way to give back during the holiday season and help give children the holiday experience they all dream of.
Sruthi Raman, Staffwriter
