Rocky Boy students raise funds for gifts

Elementary school students at Rocky Boy schools will get a free Christmas gift thanks to two high school students who are undertaking a massive effort to raise funds.

Isiah Murie and Tristen Belgrade, both seniors at Rocky Boy High School, are in charge of operation: Help Santa, which will provide the gifts.

People can help out by buying a chance to win a massive Thanksgiving basket.

Tickets are $1, and the drawing will take place Wednesday.

The tickets are on sale at the high school.

The winner will get a Thanksgiving basket with a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the fixings, including candy, cake, fruit and vegetables.

The money raised by the raffle will be combined with donations from generous businesses and individuals, said Kristiny Lorett, a Rocky Boy English teacher and an adviser to Operation: Help Santa.

One big fundraiser will be held early next month when several community leaders will agree to take a pie in the face in return for a big enough donation.

The Rocky Boy School District will provide matching funds to what the students raise, she said.

The money will be used to provide a gift to every student in grades kindergarten through sixth.

Fourth-graders and younger will get children’s toys, she said.

Older students will get winter necessities, she said, such as hats gloves, scarves and boots.

Lorett said the annual event always gets a lot of support in the community.

Murie and Belgrade are among the best students at Rocky Boy, she said, and have worked well together to organize the programs.

Anyone with questions and people interested in donating are urged to call Lorett at 395-4270.