Today, Dec. 10, Gretna High School will host its annual “Holiday Market,” an event designed to give special education and Alternate Curriculum Classroom (ACC) students the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for their family and friends. The event takes place from 4 to 7 p..m. in the school cafeteria where students will be able to choose from a variety of donated gifts.
The Holiday Market has been a tradition in the High School for around 15 years. It was created to provide students with special needs a chance to engage in the joy and fulfillment of holiday shopping. The event is made entirely possible by donations of new and gently used items from local families, businesses, and community members.
“To be able to experience the feeling of giving on Christmas because that’s such a big thing you get to experience in your life,” Macy Pinion, the service club sponsor for the Holiday Market said, explaining the deeper significance of the event. For many students, the Holiday Market is more than just a shopping event; it is a way for them to actively participate in the spirit of giving and to create lasting memories for themselves and their loved ones.
On the day of the market, families are encouraged to attend and shop together. The donated items include a wide variety of goods, from toys to books. The range of options ensures that students can find something special for their family members, regardless of age or interest. The excitement of shopping for loved ones, combined with the joy of gift-giving, makes the event truly special for all involved. Parents help their children select and wrap gifts.
Donations to the Holiday Market began the Monday of Thanksgiving week and continued up until today. The response from the community has been positive, and the number of donations continues to grow each year. Cade Bryson, a junior at GHS, attended last year’s event and plans to go today as well.
“I know I went last year, but I don’t really remember much. I think I got some good stuff,” Bryson said. Though last year’s turnout was satisfactory, with about 10 shoppers, the event is expected to have larger numbers this year.
Looking ahead, Pinion hopes to continue growing the event each year, with the goal of expanding the number of students who can participate and the amount of donations collected. However, she also reflected on some of the challenges faced during the previous event, particularly in terms of communication and outreach.
“Last year went OK, I guess,” Pinion said. “We had a hard time getting the information out, and I just didn’t know who the right contacts were.”
