Milford Miracles, making the holidays brighter

Each leadership student is given the chance to deliver a gift to a family that is less fortunate and they are able to brighten someone’s holiday.

“We drop off the present and say Merry Christmas and we only have time to stay for about five minutes, but I wish we had longer,” said Leadership student, Sophie Phillips. “It makes you feel good that you’re doing something for your community that is benefiting someone who maybe is less fortunate than you,” Phillips.

The leadership students only have one school day to drop off the gifts to the chosen families.

The idea behind Milford Miracles originated when former teacher Señora Longcore brought Toys for Tots to Milford High School. Señora Alfaro, -Spanish teacher at MHS,- then took it over when Longcore retired. Alfaro wanted to expand it make it a little different. She wanted to reach a lot of families to make the holidays enjoyable for everyone no matter what age they were.

Alfaro leads the Spanish Club at MHS and this is where they finalized the idea of Milford Miracles.

The leadership students are now in charge of running this charity.

This is a charity that the leadership students organize where they raise money throughout our school and community. They then use this money to help families have a Christmas who can’t afford to provide one for their family. Milford Miracles is a way that our high school can give people in the community items they may need or a gift for Christmas.

This charity event started Nov. 7th and is running through Dec. 16th!

Donating is easy! Any spare change you have in your pockets or backpack can easily be contributed to a family that may not have a Christmas this year. There are baskets in every classroom and there are also baskets around local businesses in downtown Milford where you can donate money.

“Any student at MHS can donate money, even an adult shopping downtown can donate since there are baskets in the shops around town,” Sophie Phillips.

“Students should participate in this because kids need to learn to give to others and share what they have with other people. Giving a family a better holiday, clothes, or money for gas does make a difference,” Alfaro.

Leadership raised $11,000 in 2015 and would like to beat that goal this year. “We would like to help 10 families or more to have a Christmas that otherwise would not have one,” said Leadership Teacher- Mr. Gilbert.

Personally, Alfaro has a goal of raising $1,000 for each class. “I let my students know they can donate by having a deep conversation with them every day at the beginning of class and I express the need that there really are people out there that need help, even if it is just a little bit,” explained Alfaro.

“Each student is given a family which is incorporated with Adopt a Family and we buy a gift or a Christmas dinner for them,” explained Phillips. The leadership students then deliver the families the presents they got for the family.

“Being a part of Milford Miracles has made me realize how fortunate I am and I am very grateful for all that I have,” explained Phillips.
Milford Miracles is a charity that helps families in need and contributes donations to make their holiday brighter. With your help MHS can change the holidays for more families and make their holiday season brighter.