For the past few years,the school, with the help of the Giving Tree Foundation, a local organization that receives wishes from families, has tried to bring holiday cheer to those families who are not as fortunate. This year, so many students and teachers wanted to help out the community that the school had to order more cards with wishes on them.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community,” ASB president David Mandell said. “Plus it’s an easy way to fulfill a child’s Christmas wish especially in this economic crisis.”

Though the recession may not have affected Saratoga as severely many other places, many children in other parts of the Bay Area do not have simple pleasures such as books and toys.

“In a place like Saratoga where we are so fortunate it’s really good to give back,” Mandell said. “A small $15-$30 gift means so much to those children and families.”

Saratoga High originally received 100 wish cards, ranging from simple toiletries to toys, but within a week all cards were taken. In fact, they called the Giving Tree Foundation to order 75 more cards.

“I’m really happy to say that all 175 cards were taken,” Mandell said. “It shows how generous our school is.”

Of the numerous students who have picked up cards off the giving tree, junior Alison Knysh’s family has made this a tradition of giving to needy families every year.

“A few years ago my family and I decided that each year we would pick a family and buy gifts for them,” said Knysh. “Instead, this year we picked the cards off the giving tree and decided to buy gifts for them instead of a single family.”