After hearing about the tragic incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School, two Monta Vista Students started a Beanie Baby drive in hopes of adding some level of comfort for the students of that school.

The Beanie Babies were gathered from several sources; primarily from the collection of the late Ron Freeman, a well-loved coach and teacher at our school. He collected the Beanie Babies as a pastime. After his passing away, his parents donated his collection to the school. We believe he would have wanted the Beanie Babies to be used in this manner. The rest of the Beanie Babies were from donations from teh school librarian and administration staff. All the toys are new with their respective tags.

During our Beanie Babies Drive, we asked Monta Vista students and staff to write thoughtful, comforting notes, which would later on be tied to the Beanie Babies. We also collected money donations to finance shipping and purchasing boxes. 

Attached you will find the letter  the students sent, along with over 400 beanie babies, to Newtown and the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.  Michelle Swedek and Cathryn Yang have represented our District with tremendous pride in this special gesture to the young elementary students of Sandy Hook. 

And of course Ron Freeman, our friend, who continues in his passing to be part of MVHS’s activities.  He would have been proud of these girls and the final destination of his beanie babies!