PANTEGO – For one local family, Christmas will bring more than toys. Students at Terra Ceia Christian School started a drive to collect basic household necessities for a family with five adopted children who recently took in five more. Most of the children are under 10 years old.

“ I t ’s just something that the kids organized on their own,” said Jon Postma, principal of the school.

Two seniors are heading up the efforts. Sydney Hubers learned of the family’s plight and enlisted the help of classmate Morgan Williams to organize the drive. A local church has already bought Christmas presents for the children, Hubers said.

She and Williams compiled a list of household items the family could use then divided the list into four categories. They assigned each high school grade a category and challenged classes to be the first to complete the list.

Hubers said she and Williams would pay for an ice cream party for the winning class.

“ I ’ v e b e e n r e a l l y impressed with how people have stepped up. Everyone is willing to help. It’s just a matter of getting it in time. The freshmen are ahead with the baby stuff,” Hubers said.

Hubers and Williams set Monday, Dec. 17, as the deadline and plan to deliver everything collected after school. But, Williams said they would be more than willing to make a second trip if anyone wanted to contribute.

“They could use more cleaning supplies. We don’t have any of that yet,” Williams said.

Hubers said they could also use more laundry baskets.

“We’ll take anything a family needs,” Williams said.

To donate to the family, drop items off at Terra Ceia Christian School, 4428 Christian School Road in Pantego. For more information, contact the school at 943-2485.