The Christmas season is known as a time for giving back to others, and students who are members of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization at Russellville High School have made a point to give to others this Christmas.

Last Wednesday, the group donated $183 they collected to the Russellville Christmas Mission, which is a joint outreach event by several local churches and businesses in the area with the purpose of providing Christmas gifts and food for those in need this holiday season.

Richard Parker, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Russellville, said the Mission served 125 people this year, over 70 of which were children.

Parker, who was on hand to receive the donation, said the money donated by RHS FBLA helped to buy presents for 75 children ages newborn to 12 years.

“The money donated by FBLA was definitely put to use buying presents for children who might now have gotten gifts otherwise,” Parker said.

“It was so wonderful to see the faces of those children when they received their presents. They just lit up and smiled from ear to ear.”

Parker said the children and parents were thankful for all that was given to them.

“They were very grateful and wanted me to tell the FBLA students how much they appreciated their help,” Parker said.

“This is a great thing these students do for their community and I think it’s great they are earning to care about others while they are still high school students. Hopefully that mentality will carry over into their adult lives.”

Parker said any money or toys that were left over from the Russellville Christmas Mission were donated to the city of Russellville’s Helping Santa program.