Courtesy photo PetSmart donated more than 50 stuffed animals to Nashua High School North. Students who may not always be able to give back got to give stuffed animals to their younger siblings.

NASHUA – Staff and faculty members at Nashua High School North have been working hard to make sure the students are cared for both in and out of the classroom – especially during the holidays.

This week, the high school received a donation of 50 stuffed animals from PetSmart. The store collected stuffed animals from members of the community. They had such an overwhelming positive response that they began to look for additional locations to receive donations.

Jenessa Boothby, a Nashua Technology Center paraprofessional, emailed the store.

“I wrote saying that while our high school students don’t need stuffed animals, it’s better to give than to receive,” Boothby said.

She said many of the students at the school don’t always have opportunities to give back to someone who may want a stuffed animal, like a younger sibling. So she arranged for the stuffed animals to be brought to the school. Boothby said the stuffed animals were gone rather quickly.

“It was so good to see these kids who don’t often get to give to their siblings pick [a stuffed animal] out and get excited to give it to them,” Boothby said.

The stuffed animals went so fast that she had to ask for more, Boothby said.

Though the student’s siblings were the ones to receive gifts, the students got a little bit more.

“It brought a really good feeling of generosity and just being able to give back to somebody who might not have a lot of presents under the tree at this time of the year,” Boothby said. “They were able to be the giver, not receiver.”

Boothby said it was sweet to see students who you wouldn’t expect to see picking up a stuffed animal.

“It was heartwarming,” Boothby said.

The giving did not stop there. This week, students in need were sent home with gift cards as well. The school’s social worker, Kallie Provencher, said more than 40 families were given $30 gift cards to Hannaford and Market Basket that were purchased by staff members. The cards were distributed by the assistant principals.

“It gives students an opportunity to connect with someone they might not have before,” Provencher said. “It gives them a relationship outside of a disciplinary situation.”

Provencher said, “It was also interesting to see who knows what about which students. Those who are struggling that teachers might not know of are now on their radar, so if the students have an off day, teachers can be more aware of what’s going on and help.”

Provencher said she and other guidance counselors are working to find out who the students are with the most needs so they can help.

“We are really trying to give what we can in our own North community,” Provencher said.

Grace Pecci can be reached at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com.