Editor's note: The following was submitted by Jill Kellar, AP/HP Support Specialist and Health Science Magnet Coordinator at Osseo Senior High.

The holidays will be much more cheerful this season for six metro families thanks to the efforts of the Opportunities in Emergency Care (OEC) program (part of the Health Science Magnet Program) at Osseo Senior High and the generosity of the students and staff.

For eight-teen years the OEC program has been teaching students in Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician skills with a heavy emphasis on volunteering and the importance of empathy in emergency medicine. This year OEC partnered with the Roseville Fire Angels, and in less than two weeks OEC students were able to raise $1,601.23 to provide Christmas presents for twenty-nine people in six families. Fundraising efforts included collections at the boys and birls varsity vasketball games and lunch time pictures with Santa, thanks in part to the help of Osseo Senior’s Assistant Principal Ronnie King.

On Monday Dec. 17, 27 students gathered to buy and wrap the gifts – and although they enjoyed picking out toys and new clothes, they also found satisfaction in providing the families with simple winter necessities, such as hats, mittens, and a warm pair of boots.

We at OEC send the warmest wishes to you and your family this holiday season, and hope that you, like the students, find a way to make someone’s day a little brighter.