Butler AM Rotary members provided a little Christmas joy to students in 17 families in need in Butler Area School District.

A group of Rotary members learned that the students at McQuistion and Center Township elementary schools did not receive Christmas presents through other charitable efforts and quickly responded.

The Rotarians made personal cash donations totaling $835 to purchase Walmart, Boscov's and Target gift cards, and the Rotary directors approved a cash donation of $423 to reimburse school counselors and staff who bought gifts for the students, said Peggy Weckerly, Butler AM Rotary treasurer.

She said the gift cards and cash were delivered Wednesday after the Rotary learned about the students the week before.

“We were scrambling to make sure we had all the families identified covered. We ended up with over 800 gift cards. We got every family covered” Weckerly said.

Members decided to donate for gift cards instead of buying gifts during the pandemic and risking possible exposure to COVID-19.

They were happy to donate, Weckerly said.

“A lot of our members are extremely generous and extremely giving especially when it comes to kids. It's what we do. We can't solve all the problems in the community, but we've always been about kids in need,” she said. “Kudos to the membership. They always come through.”

The Rotary asked officials at the two schools to let the organization know if any students need presents at Thanksgiving next year to avoid the last minute scramble that took place this year, Weckerly said.