As the holiday season approaches, Hughson High School is finding ways to support students with the Winter Wishes program. The Winter Wishes program is run by our very own Mrs. Ruelas, allowing students in need to request gifts for themselves and others, free of charge, giving everyone the chance to feel celebrated during this special time of year.

The initiative was created with students and their families in mind, especially those struggling with financial stress around the busy holidays. When asked what the inspiration behind Winter Wishes was, Mrs. Ruelas answered, “My mom was the most amazing, generous person you would ever meet, and when I was growing up, my mom would go around to companies and ask them to donate, and she would take us shopping to buy things for kids who are in need. We would go to their house at, like, 5 in the morning and put presents on their porch. It was such a beautiful tradition that I wanted to carry it on.”

Beyond the gifts themselves, Winter Wishes encourages a sense of community within the school. Students remain anonymous in their requests and can always receive donations privately, but the students involved in packaging gain a greater sense of empathy when preparing gifts for their peers in need. Mrs. Ruelas has stated that students can “request everything except for electronics, and we try to fulfill as many as we can,” opening the door for a wide range of gifts.

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also be incredibly stressful for families undergoing financial hardship. The Winter Wishes program helps to relieve some of that burden, and Mrs. Ruelas and her team of student helpers show one of the many ways that Hughson High values generosity and kindness.