ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Saugus High School students Gaby Marquez, Alilyn Minayn and Krissy Italiano wrap presents at the Square One Mall in Saugus.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — With mere hours until the end of their class fundraiser, Saugus High School seniors are only a few hundred dollars away from reaching their goal.
Gift wrapping has been a Saugus tradition for more than 20 years. Richard Lavoie, one of two senior class advisors, said he remembers wrapping at the mall when he graduated in 1995. Back then, the students occupied the information booth and worked alongside mall employees. In recent years, classes have raised as much as $15,000 and operate on six tables.
The teenagers have been taking turns wrapping gifts at the Square One Mall in four-hour shifts since the season-long fundraiser kicked off on Black Friday. It concludes tonight at 6 p.m.
In November, student Emily Kay said the class set a lofty goal to raise $10,000 to cover costs of special programs, such as prom and Color Day competitions. Money will also be set aside for Senior Week, when the graduating class will likely visit an amusement park, attend a Red Sox game and throw an after-prom party.
Lavoie said the group reached the $9,000 level on Thursday.
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“The other class advisor, Kate Payne, and I have been working with this group of kids for four years,” Lavoie said. “Seeing the kids grow up and learn that sense of responsibility — in addition to everything else we have going on — they’re essentially running a business for a month. Seeing them work out the thought process in their heads is really kind of cool.”
The gift-wrapping kiosk is located on the lower level outside Toys ‘R’ Us and Macy’s. Prices range from $3 for a small- or average-size clothing box to $10 for an extra-large gift. The students learned how to juggle the costs of supplies, renting the kiosk and other expenses.
Students in other grades could opt to volunteer at the wrapping booth to fulfill community service hours. Seniors who volunteered were rewarded with reduced prices on prom tickets, Lavoie said.
“One of the things that amazed me, beyond just the kids, is the amount of folks who aren’t affiliated or part of the high school anymore but still volunteered,” he said. “We have a mom whose youngest daughter graduated in 2013 but she still volunteers. As rewarding as any of the money that comes in, I think the kids were overwhelmed by the generosity.”
Some customers would have two to three packages wrapped and leave an additional donation with the students, he said.
“In the last few weeks, it has really picked up,” Lavoie said. “It’s hard work and it’s tiring but it’s worth it.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.