Sharing the spirit of the season
Mimi Vanderhaven • November 10, 2025
Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools celebrates the season with compassion-driven initiatives that lift families and inspire students.
Through thoughtful programs and generous hearts, Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools ensure every family feels the warmth of the holidays.
Darlings, the holidays are a time for families to enjoy special, stress-free moments together. Across the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools, a variety of initiatives helps support students and families in need, reflecting the deep sense of community pride and compassion that shines year-round.
Mimi caught up with Director of Communications Gina Kevern to find out more.
- Across the district, schools offer numerous drives for food, stockings, hats, gloves, personal care items and more
- Staff “adopt” families and provide gifts, as well as holiday meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Shop with a Cop (local police departments take students shopping to purchase items for them and their families). North High School volunteers help the Eastlake police department and students wrap the gifts.
- Jefferson Elementary organizes a Holiday Help-A-Friend program where families from the school sign up if they need help or would like to provide help to others over the holidays. Then, the school collects wish lists with “something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.”
- For families enrolled in the Grant Elementary Outreach Program, the Outreach Store offers an opportunity to shop for clothes, shoes, toys and more to help make the holidays meaningful and fun. Families can choose items personalized to their needs, and for those unable to visit in person, wish list items are boxed and delivered to them.
“The holiday season shines a light on the generous spirit of our Grant Elementary family, as well as that of all of our schools,” says Principal Courtney Lausin. “Knowing we can work together to ease a burden or bring a little extra joy to a child’s home means so much to all of us.”
Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools System. For details, visit WESchools.org.
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