Mission students gather boughs to fund Christmas gifts for children in need
Karen Peterson photo
Dogs with Wings President Kristina McClure arranges boughs for the hike down the mountain.
Karen Peterson photo
Connie Plaissay, florist, helps Levi Alexander and Colin Linsebigler find the perfect spot to cut a bough.
Karen Peterson photo
Two dozen Mission Middle School students hike into the forest collecting foliage that will be crafted into wreaths and garland.
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A group of Mission Middle School students put on their work gloves to develop a multi-step project resulting in Christmas presents for kids in need.
“We are helping people like angels so that makes us the Dogs with Wings,” said Matthew Druffel, 11, referring to the school’s bulldog mascot.
On a mild November afternoon, 24 Dogs with Wings hiked a snowy mountainside close to Mission Dam with clippers and saws to gather tree boughs.
“This is our tenth year and we’ve never lost a kid or a finger. I count that as a success,” said Valerie Umphrey, teacher. “During this project, everyone finds their niche from climbing the highest on the mountain to finding a leadership role.”
Dogs with Wings President Kristina McClure, 8th grade, organized cut boughs to help protect the greenery for the hike downhill. Once the branches are back at school, students will create festive décor.
“We are using the green parts to make wreaths. We put them on a wreath frame and wrap wire around them. They can get big so we need to collect a lot. We also make swags and centerpieces.”
Going to the Share the Spirit tree is another step in the project, but this one doesn’t require work gloves.
“We use the money we make from selling the decorations to buy presents for the kids on the tags. Last year, we spent fifty dollars on each person,” Kristina said. “We also buy gifts for the troops. What we can spend depends on how much money we make selling the decorations.”
Kristina says she never gets to see the delivered presents.
“We see it with our hearts. Doing this makes me feel proud. It gives me a happy feeling. I think that’s what Christmas is about — giving.”
Before the students cut boughs on Tribal land, they needed permission.
“We asked the elders first at the Long House. Then, we went to the Tribal Council and asked if we could use the land,” said Kayden Burke, student. “They thought it was a great idea that we were raising money to help.”
CSKT foresters Mark Couture and Tony Incashola assisted in the search for boughs.
“This is a great project,” Couture said holding back the limbs on a fir tree so Michaela Richter could get a clean cut. “I enjoy helping out with the kids.”
Local florist Connie Plaissay taught the students how to make the wreaths. The lesson started on the mountainside with bough cutting directions.
“They are going to turn out great and they’ll be fresh with a nice aroma. We are storing them in a greenhouse so they will last,” Plaissay said.
Orders for decorations can be made by calling (406) 745-3811, ext. 251. Students are taking orders now and will continue through the first week in December.
