Schools and departments across the Dallas Independent School District organized holiday giving efforts this season, collecting food, toys, clothing, and other essentials for families, students, and community members facing hardship.
According to information shared by the district, campuses and administrative teams coordinated a wide range of initiatives, including angel tree programs, food drives, toy collections, and specialty efforts aimed at addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and other seasonal needs that affect students and their families.
At Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, students, staff, and families participated in the annual “Booker T. Angels” program, adopting five families from H.I. Holland Elementary. The effort is coordinated through the school’s student council and Parent Teacher Student Association.
At David G. Burnet Elementary, a teacher assistant organized holiday gifts for 19 second- and third-grade students. The initiative, now in its third year, included individualized gifts and gift cards and was funded through personal savings and community sponsors. The organizer grew up in the same neighborhood as the students and has described the project as a way to ensure students are supported during the holidays.
Several campuses focused on food insecurity through competitive and large-scale donation efforts. Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy collected 6,516 canned goods through a National Junior Honor Society drive and raised an additional $681 during a coin drive. Larry G. Smith Elementary held a house-based food drive competition designed to encourage participation and teamwork while supporting local families through a partner food bank.
Margaret B. Henderson Elementary donated 221 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank and provided complete Thanksgiving meals to multiple families identified by teachers. The campus also distributed ready-to-eat meals to individuals experiencing homelessness near the school.
W.H. Adamson High School hosted its 17th annual toy drive, serving more than 200 families and approximately 400 children. The event included live music from student groups and photos with Santa Claus and has been held annually since 2008.
Some schools pursued more specialized initiatives. Fifth graders at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary organized a pet food drive benefiting animal adoption centers, noting that while toy and food drives are common during the holidays, pet-focused efforts are less typical. Eduardo Mata Montessori participated in “Sock-tober,” collecting socks for a local homeless shelter, while Albert C. Black Jr. STEAM Academy students donated canned goods and created Veterans Day cards for patients at the Dallas VA Medical Center.
District departments also participated. Dallas ISD Police continued their annual toy drive, launching the effort with a fundraiser and distributing toys to students at select schools. The Communication Services department adopted classrooms at two elementary schools, providing toys, books, and clothing based on student needs.
Other efforts included regular food distributions at Buckner Terrace Montessori in partnership with community organizations, clothing and supply drives organized by student groups, and holiday food box programs assembled through counselor referrals and campus outreach.
District officials noted that while many initiatives required coordination for storage, volunteers, and distribution, participating campuses emphasized the importance of maintaining community connections and supporting families during the holiday season.
