LINDEN &8212; In the spirit of sharing and giving, two clubs at Linden High School joined forces to make Christmas special for local children.

The Linden High School Beta Club and Student Council worked together to collect contributions to Project Merry Christmas, an annual project of Marengo County Department of Human Resources. Their total donation was $720.

According to student council sponsor Mitzi Gates, the two clubs have historically worked together on numerous community service projects, but this was their first time to donate to Project Merry Christmas.

One of the ways in which Project Merry Christmas differs from other holiday toy drives is that money is collected and toys that children request are then purchased for them.

Gates said although this was their first year to participate, the students were eager to help. They collected donations through families, faculty and staff members, friends and church members.

Gates described the day the students went to make their donation, when project coordinator Marysue Henry showed the students all the toys they had lined up to give out for Christmas.