Lessons learned in confirmation class to help others has for two local students turned into an annual campaign to help less fortunate kids have a better Christmas.

The St. Nicholas toy drive is the joint effort of brother and sister Laura and Richard Amaral, students at Mt. Hope High School and Kickemuit Middle school, respectively. The pair is collecting new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to families around the East Bay who could use a hand during what is supposed to be a joyous season, but is too often a source of stress for struggling families.

“There will be kids that won’t see Santa,” said Richard Amaral, Sr., father of the young philanthropes. “We’ve been in touch with businesses in town that are in contact with low-income families that could use the help.”

The project began when Laura and Richard, Jr., learned about helping other during religious classes at St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren, where the family lives. Now in their second year, the students are filling up donation boxes at both schools, collecting dolls, books, puzzles, sleds, games and more to give away.

“They told us to do a project that would help other people out,” said Laura Amaral, a sophomore at Mt. Hope. “We thought this would be important during the holiday season. It makes us realize how much we have, and to appreciate it.”

It’s a project the two plan to continue every year, even after Richard Jr. heads to the high school next year.

“Some kids don’t get a lot for Christmas,” the younger Richard said. “It feels good to help people.”

Richard Sr., and mom Carla Amaral, help with the logistics, but leave most of the heavy lifting to their kids. “I do a lot of legwork, but this is their work,” Mr. Amaral said. 

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Anyone wishing to donate can drop toys off in the front foyer of either school through Monday, Dec. 12, when the family will pick everything up to distribute throughout the community.