For the Common Basket this Christmas season, the BSM community made donations to Toys for Tots in place of a monetary contribution. Traditionally, BSM has a Common Basket at Mass where those present can donate money towards a cause specifically chosen for that Mass. However, the Liturgical Ministry decided to do something different for the December masses this year.

The theology department hosted the Common Basket, led by senior high theology teacher Ms. Becca Meagher and service coordinator Ms. Lisa Lenhart-Murphy. This Toys for Tots Common Basket has been done in the past, but it has not been an annual tradition. “We have been looking for something that we can make a Christmas tradition. We would like to start doing it every year if kids respond and they like it,” Lenhart-Murphy said.  

This Common Basket involved reflection on the blessing and joy of giving and receiving gifts. BSM students that wished to participate made commitments for their gifts on a post-it note star and placed it on a picture of a tree in the hallway near the school’s chapel. “No matter how small or how big the gift is, somebody will take it and everything given is important,” Lenhart-Murphy said.

Senior Kameron Herndon spoke to the student body at Mass about the Common Basket. Herndon recently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, which is charge of the Toys for Tots organization. Herndon also had Recruiter Staff Sergeant Henderson come and talk about Toys for Tots at mass as well.  “I think it’s a great charity and I am excited to help out with the cause. Donating gifts is a good thing because it gives less fortunate kids a better Christmas. [People should] get out there and donate to Toys for Tots, and do it for the children who aren’t as fortunate as everyone else,” Herndon said.

The hope was that every student brought in some type of gift, but it was not required. “For the Common Basket, we normally don’t put out a goal because we want everyone to discern for themselves the role that they play in whatever the Common Basket is. Students should give from their heart and not for reaching a goal,” Lenhart-Murphy said.  

This Common Basket helped served as a reminder to give back to those who aren’t as fortunate. “BSM is a really giving community and it’s exciting to see how excited people get to buy gifts and give them. I also think it brings back that piece of the Christmas season, brings back that kid in you [were] when you are out shopping for little kids,” Lenhart-Murphy said.