A group of young students in Bolungarvík have decided that they would donate money to charity rather than buy gifts for each other this year.
Many school children across Iceland normally hold a “small Christmas” shortly before their holiday break. Traditionally, students buy relatively inexpensive (500 – 1000 ISK) gifts for each other and get together for a party.
Víkari reports that school children in the 9th and 10th grade of Bolungarvík Primary School decided to break from tradition this year, and instead donate the money they would have spent on gifts for each other to charity. Specifically, the children put 500 or 1000 ISK in individual envelopes, marked with the charity each student wanted to support, which were then collected by their teachers. One envelope was then drawn at random to determine which charity would receive the pot.
All told, 13,600 ISK was raised for the United Nations’ Children Fund (UNICEF), which provides humanitarian aid to children in developing countries. Those interested in supporting UNICEF themselves this holiday season can do so, among other ways, through their website.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
