Several Leon County schools have been helping work holiday miracles in recent weeks.

Leon High was among many schools that collected tons of food for needy families at Thanksgiving.

The Raa Middle School Junior Beta Club gathered and distributed Christmas gifts for children in that community.

"I am so very proud of Raa's Junior Beta Club," club sponsor Lynne Harris said. "The students are so kind-hearted to share with others during this special time of year."

In October, Raa teacher Jane Walker's sixth-grade geography classes participated in a service project to benefit orphans in Ukraine.

"The students were very touched by the plight of these orphans when Mrs. Teresa Fillmon, the director of a nonprofit organization called 'His Kids, Too!', spoke to them," Walker said. "The students opened up their hearts and purses and collected about 575 pounds of clothing, personal-care items and toys to be sent to the Ukraine. They also donated $645 for His Kids, Too!"

The teenagers in Swift Creek Middle School's Student Government Association adopted three families through the "Creek Holiday Connection, said Debbie Gibson, intensive math teacher. They provided the families with warm jackets and clothes, food, household needs and gifts.

"This is the second year the (Swift Creek) Wolves have adopted families for the holidays," Gibson said, "and it looks as if it will become an annual project."