Anna’s Kindness volunteers helped make quick (and fun) work of wrapping hundreds of Christmas gifts for underserved children in Ann Arbor on Friday night.
Nine Clague Middle School students, a few siblings, and their parents brought colorful rolls of paper and lots of enthusiasm to the downtown First United Methodist Church to wrap about 400 presents in just over an hour. The gifts will be delivered to students served by the Bryant Community Center.
Student volunteers were 8th graders Evers Baskey and Zack Hildebrandt; 7thgraders Elizabeth Thompson, Charlotte Hildebrandt and Khalil Jones; and 6thgraders Ashe Baskey, Xingzhi Tan, Charlie Calvin and Emmi Conrad.
Several had volunteered with Anna’s Kindness previously, while others, like Elizabeth Thompson, were first-timers. It’s a season of firsts for Elizabeth, who also has registered for junior volunteer training at the Huron Valley Humane Society during the Christmas break. Elizabeth’s passion for animals was shared by Anna, who loved animals and was a trained volunteer at the Humane Society of the Black Hills in Rapid City, S.D., before the family moved to Ann Arbor.
“We were really super drawn to your cause because you are focused on getting middle school kids involved, and it is sometimes hard for them to have opportunities to volunteer in service projects like this,” said Elizabeth’s mom, Sarah, who wrapped with her daughter.
It was Xingzhi Tan’s third project this fall with Anna’s Kindness, having previously assisted with activities at Glacier Hills Senior Center and serving breakfast for those in need at St. Andrews. “It’s fun to do a lot of different things to help people and it gives positivity,” he said.
Thank you to Chris and the First United Methodist Church for allowing Anna’s Kindness to help wrap gifts, and to Kate for co-hosting Friday’s night’s project.
#randomactsofanna
Kate Lewit helped host the event for Anna’s Kindness. 
Carli Hildebrandt and her son Zack. 
Craig Calvin helps sons Charlie and Cooper. 
Khalil Jones and mom Teresa. 
Emmi Conrad and mom Mutsumi. 
Charlie Calvin and brother Cooper cut some wrapping paper. 
Emmi Conrad and mom Mutsumi. 
Ashe Baskey slices a sheet of wrapping paper. 
Elizabeth Thompson sizes up the next gift to be wrapped. 
Evers Baskey is cutting the paper to fit his next gift. 
Charlotte Hildebrandt wraps the end of one of her presents. 
Xingzhi Tan folds down the end of one wrapped present. 
Xingzhi Tan, his brother Andy, and mom Yuan Yuan. 
Evers Baskey tackles a large present for wrapping.
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