The message of giving back to the less fortunate is resonating with students in the Cherokee County School District this holiday season.

Numerous schools have taken on various Christmas-related charity projects, which teachers say are designed to build students' character and teach them about the importance of helping others.

Students at Knox Elementary School in Canton are making no-sew fleece blankets to give to the elderly this winter.

The project is being coordinated by counselors Laura Norris and Diane Martin as part of their December classroom guidance lessons.

Third- through sixth-grade students are in charge of making the blankets while kindergarten through second-grade students will make accompanying holiday cards.

The school's Student Council and the Beta Club initially came up with the idea to do the project.

"They thought it would be great for the whole school to be involved," Mrs. Norris said.

She added that they hope to make at least 110 blankets.

While the project is only in its first year of existence, Mrs. Norris said students have enjoyed it. They have also talked about expanding it to include items such as scarves and hats.

Kaitlyn Carson, the 10-year-old daughter of Rob and Stephanie Carson of Sutallee, said she's excited about helping the elderly.

A fifth-grader, Kaitlyn said she's made the same type of blankets for her brothers and sisters and has taken them to places such as the Cherokee Family Violence Center.

"It's just a good thing to do," she said.

Freedom Middle School's For Hope Club collected more than 5,000 canned and nonperishable food items for the 11Alive Can-a-Thon project. The project benefits the Salvation Army's area food pantries.

The items will be transported today to the School Box store at Town Center in Kennesaw for collection, said Principal Karen Hawley.

The Canton school is also working on its annual Sprit of the Season program. Each academic team sponsors three needy students and brings in clothing and other gifts for them.

At 9 a.m. on Dec. 11, the school will have a ceremony to celebrate the successful drive.

Natasha Diaz, eighth-grade reading teacher and sponsor of the For Hope Club, said the school usually ends up with thousands of dollars in items.

Twenty-nine students will benefit from the program, down from last year's 40.

"The generosity of this school is amazing," Mrs. Diaz said.

Mountain Road Elementary students are collecting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

The toys will be picked up by Sgt. Michael Dickerson, a former student of Mrs. Hall, during the Woodstock school's "Polar Express" ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. on Dec. 18.

Counselor Brenda Hall said she's hoping to have between 25 and 30 boxes for Sgt. Dickerson.

"I asked him to bring a box truck," Mrs. Hall said with a chuckle. About 25 boxes were collected for last year's drive.

Mrs. Hall said she hopes her students don't focus on how much is collected, but the importance of donating to the less fortunate.

Creekland Middle School students have a slew of activities arranged for this month.

The Beta Club is sponsoring a collection drive of various items to send to soldiers overseas.

Sixth-graders have been tasked with collecting toiletry items, seventh-graders are gathering nonperishable snacks and eighth-graders are rounding up entertainment items such as old and new magazines and playing cards to send.

The holiday packages will shipped today, said Principal Dr. Deborah Wiseman.

"We've got so much stuff," she said.

Also, the school's Connections teachers have banded together to sponsor a "very deserving" student and provide Christmas for the child.

On Dec. 14, the Beta Club will visit The Oaks senior living facility in Cumming to sing Christmas carols and bring holiday cards to the residents.

Bascomb Elementary students are participating in their second annual Giving Tree program.

The tree is decorated with paper ornaments that list information about a less fortunate classmate and what he or she needs for Christmas.

Twenty-seven students at the Towne Lake school will be aided this year by the program. About 15 children benefited from the program last year, said Principal Ruth Flowers.

Mrs. Flowers added she hopes students learn they "need to be thankful" for what they have and be generous with other less fortunate classmates.

Clayton Elementary students are helping provide Christmas for 29 local families.

It's partnering with the Cherokee Sheriff Office's Christmas Joy program and Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant in Canton to sponsor families.

The school has a Wishing Tree with paper ornaments that has lists of what children need for Christmas.

The school sent letters home to parents to ask for their help in purchasing items for students in need, according to counselor Shanna McAdoo. Parents then accompany students to buy the items listed on the ornaments.

Mrs. McAdoo said she's expecting the school to continue its tradition of giving a "tremendous amount" each year.

"It's so hands-on for the kids," she said about the project.

Chapman Intermediate School's Angel Toy Drive is collecting toys for Hillside United Methodist Church's Christmas Angels program.

The church's program provides various items for needy children in Cherokee County.

Chapman's program has collected about three bins worth of toys, said Jami Shade, a sixth-grade language arts teacher at the Woodstock school.

Ms. Shade said they had more to give to the program last year.

"You can definitely tell the economy has hit people hard," she said.

The homeroom that donates the most toys will be given an ice cream party sponsored by the Student Council, Ms. Shade added.

She said she hopes her students realize the impact their generosity will have on the community.

"It's all about charity," she said.