MEXICO — Western Foothills School District staff, Rumford Hospital, at least one local church and community members have gathered enough new warm clothing and toys to help about 40 area children this Christmas season.

The effort is part of Meroby Elementary School’s second annual Giving Tree.

After Thanksgiving, teachers and other staff talk about gratitude and giving as a way to help out the community, particularly during the economic downturn, Principal Melanie Chasse said.

The following couple of weeks, the names of youngsters who may benefit are identified by their teachers, then Giving Tree forms are sent to the parents asking for sizes of shirts, pants, boots and coats, and if there is any other interest or wish the child might have.

Once the form is returned, school district staff and other community members choose a tag with the family’s requests and agree to buy the items. On Friday, all the wrapped presents will be under the decorated tree in the school lobby, and on Monday and Tuesday, the families will pick them up.

The gifts aren’t just for the Meroby child, but for any other children in the family from prekindergarten through high school.

“Our ‘Santas’ are extremely generous,” Chasse said.

It’s not just the children who benefit from the gifts, she said. “So many adults from around the district have thanked us for doing this. They say that Christmas isn’t Christmas without doing something like this,” Chasse said.

This is the second year for the Giving Tree, and it’s something Chasse wants to continue for as long as she is principal.

“People have come out of the woodwork to help. They want to give back to the place they love. People are pleased that they are giving to people in this area,” she said.

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