Baskets of sunshine

Sunshine and smiles were going around when Mountain View Alternative High School seniors brought baskets of bright yellow treats to local first responders.

“Our first responders have had a tough year and we just wanted to do something nice for them,” Mountain View teacher Lauren Eleazer said. “They were just really busy. Dispatch and everyone were really busy with calls.”

The classes at Mountain View High School competed in a donation drive to collect as many yellow things as they could. The seniors won so they got to hand deliver them to dispatch, fire and police stations, for day and night shifts.

Eleazer is on the Sunshine Committee at Mountain View, a good vibes group of teachers and community members who helped organize the donation drive and basket delivery.

The Sunshine committee asked the community for support and received many happy returns as parents participated by donating anything yellow: Lay’s potato chips, lip gloss, golden Oreos, pom-poms and more.

“Fun stuff,” Eleazer said. "The surprising thing was that some seniors went straight out and bought stuff to donate. As for staff, it was exciting to plan the baskets, and with our own donations it was fun to see how we all thought of something yellow to brighten someone's day."

The senior class won the competition for most donations, so they made the delivery of baskets in a parade of classmates down the street to the police station.

"The responders were so appreciative," Eleazer said. "After the police station, the Rathdrum fire department came to the school and the kids gave them their baskets. That was exciting for the kids and teachers."

Principal Paul Uzzi delivered two baskets to the dispatch office in Post Falls.

"We hope this gives you a little cheer, especially during those tough shifts," school counselor Kelli Aiken said.