Pflugerville ISD's annual Adopt-a-Child will be held Dec. 9 at Hendrickson High School.

Students from 100 different clubs, classrooms and organizations are each assigned an elementary student to adopt for a day.

Funds are raised among students to buy presents and host a Christmas party for their adoptee. Nearly 110 students from seven PfISD schools will receive gifts, snacks and games at the event.

“Witnessing the reaction and appreciation of the children who receive the gifts is the most impactful part,” Principal Daniel Garcia said.

Elementary students who fit need-based requirements are chosen by counselors to participate in the event.

“It is important for students to understand the meaning of community and impact we can have as a whole,” Garcia said. “This event will bring you to tears with pride in seeing students come together to give to someone in need.”

Adopt-a-Child began more than 35 years ago at Pflugerville High School by longtime PfISD educators Larry and Cynthia Bradley. Their daughter and social studies teacher Hellen Barczi kept the tradition going at Hendrickson.

“I personally love that I can carry on a tradition in PfISD that my parents brought to the district over 35 years ago,” Barczi said. “That is a great amount of children that [high school] kids have an impact on.”