On Saturday, December 18, Saline County Career Center (SCCC) advanced marketing students Jessica Parada and Lizvet Menendez delivered over 598 gifts donated and collected from the community to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for all patients who are currently there during the Christmas season.

A press release says as part of their DECA community-giving project called “Show Mercy”, the students had several activities planned to help patients and their families.

After reaching out to Marshall’s local businesses in November, Wood & Huston Bank, Chemistry Coffee, Montagues and The Dog Den agreed to host an angel donation tree that listed different gifts Children’s Mercy Hospital recommended for its patients as safe gifts.

DECA Advisor Kerry Henley says, “With the help of the community, the students were able to bring a little bit more cheer this year. Their original goal was to raise 240 gifts, and with the help of our community, the chapter was able to exceed that amount.”

Photo: (left to right) Lizvet Menendez, Stephanie Earling, and Jessica Parada. (Photo courtesy SCCC DECA)