HAYDEN — Just as wolves in a pack take care of their own, Lake City Timberwolves are taking care of their community.

The joy, charity and goodwill of Christmas were on full display Tuesday morning as economics teacher Matt Ruchti's students took over the Hayden Walmart to find gifts and necessities for the families they "adopted" this holiday season through their Give Back Project.

The students, mostly seniors, were given wishlists, set monetary goals and scurried through the aisles to fulfill the requests so those in need could have a few presents under their Christmas trees this year.

Dressed up in his Buddy the Elf costume, and about as tall as "Elf" star Will Ferrell, Ben Crespo walked the store in search of his teammates to ensure everyone was making progress as they found toys and fun gifts for children living at Union Gospel Mission.

"I remember when I was in elementary school, I had some of the same toys and I still have them in my memory, so we got to have something that they will remember, too, and coming from someone super festive it will just sink that memory in deeper," he said.

Caden Dutra was first in the check-out line. He said it was fun to gather with his schoolmates and have an experience outside the classroom.

"We were 63 cents over budget," he said.

Gabbie Henkle said it's a big project the students have taken on. She walked through the store with classmate Reese Merk to come in under a $1,000 budget as they shopped for sweatshirts, art supplies, organizers and more.

"It's really fun and super cool to be a part of something like this that has turned into something bigger over the years," Merk said.

"It's just cool to see the impact you can have on the community. It's also a fun thing to do to connect with other students," Henkle said. "Good memories." 

She said she hopes she and her peers continue to make an impact in their lives as well as inspire students at other schools to follow suit.

"If we had everybody come in, think of all the families we could help," she said.

The students collected about $10,300 by fundraising through different channels, such as asking for donations from businesses, friends and family members, donating their own money and hosting a waffle drive. Every student had an opportunity to help raise money, Ruchti said.

"And we broke our record this year," he said. "We've done it four years, and all four years we've raised more money every year, which is a testament to our own community and the Lake City community, specifically."

The overall goal is to help the community, Ruchti said, but the project also developed from the wish to instill generosity in students and to remember their neighbors when they get older and make their household and shopping budgets.

"Be the type of people that if you can help out others, find a way to do that," Ruchti said. "Everybody needs some help from time to time. We've incorporated that into our curriculum.

"I just try to create a pathway for them to use real-life applications in their world while teaching a little bit of curriculum along the way," he said.

The project touches the hearts of not only the Lake City family and the families it is helping, but those who understand what it is the students are doing.

"We just had a lady who saw them shopping and gave us $100 because she just wanted to say 'thank you' for doing things in our community," Ruchti said. "I know there's a ton of people to help. The cool thing is we've created an opportunity for Lake City kids to help people, and every year I do this they go above and beyond. It's a humbling experience on my end. As educators, we've got to continue to create ways that they can show their worth in everyday life."

    Seniors Micaiah Turcotte, left, and Connor Carmignani debate which squishy pillows to potentially purchase as Lake City High School economics students go Christmas shopping for local families Tuesday at Walmart for their annual Give Back Project.
  

    From left, Lake City High School seniors Ben "Buddy the Elf" Crespo, Blake Lewis and R.J. Ford confer about their Give Back Project shopping plan Tuesday at the Hayden Walmart.
  

    Seniors Kaydance Bean and Christopher McConnell are in the Christmas spirit Tuesday morning as they dance to holiday music while shopping for their Give Back Project families at the Hayden Walmart.