A small cluster of 25 paper angels laid in the front of the office from Tuesday Nov. 4 to Tuesday Dec. 2, waiting to be chosen. Each one held the hopes of local children from newborns to 18-year-olds. These are wishes as simple as a blanket, a gift card, or a toy, and just like every other year, our generous staff, students, and clubs ensure those angels don’t go unnoticed.

For more than 15 years, BHS has participated in the Green Lake County Angel Tree program. Each year, the program helps 105-110 families impacting over 275 children. Secretary Laura Sobieski, who partners with Green Lake County to coordinate the program for the high school, expresses how the event never gets old.

“It’s wonderful to see individuals, clubs, and groups participate and do something so nice and special for someone they don’t know,” Sobieski said. 

For many students and staff the Angel Tree program is more than a festive tradition; it’s a yearly reminder of what community truly means. The program allows the school to become something bigger than itself.

“High school students and staff look forward to the Angel Tree each year, and I hope it’s a positive and rewarding experience for them to help others,” Sobieski said. “It was amazing to see FFA come in with two carts full of presents! It looked like there were at least three gifts for every angel.”

For donors like At-Risk teacher Kristine Block, giving back during the holidays isn’t about recognition; it’s about making sure no child feels forgotten.

“Everyone experiences hardship at some point. It’s important to know others are there for you too, and I think everyone should have something to open up on Christmas,” Block said.

Another donor is paraprofessional Marian Kobishop, who has been picking out angels for nearly a decade. To Kobishop, giving back on holidays means everything; her inspiration comes from gratitude. 

“The Angel Tree shows us how kind we can come to be. I do it every year because I am very grateful for how much I have, and I want to share that with others,” Kobishop said. “And I love to give gifts.”