The spirit of giving unto others has not been lost on Niles High School students.

Members of the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group have been busy collecting toys and gifts geared toward teens.

The gifts will be donated to the Niles Salvation Army toy shop for Christmas.

“We’re just collecting anything teens would want,” Karissa Young, adviser to the group, said. “It’s kind of nice because they (the students) know what they want.”

Students planned to compile all of the gifts acquired through the drive and deliver them to the Salvation Army either Friday or Monday.

Gifts collected include items like DVDs and various gift cards.

“Things the’re actually goign to be excited about opening on Christmas morning,” Young said.

And they’re not the only ones getting in on the gift giving action.

Young said teachers at Niles High School have been making generous donations. Monetary donations will be used for the gift cards.

In what is the third year of the group’s annual drive, Young said students are making the connection between the need to give to those in need of help.

“A lot of them are making the connection,” Young said. “Either with their friends or they know someone whose parents have been laid off … money’s tight in many households.”

In addition to the toy drive, students will collect nonperishable food items during a food drive next week.

“They’re definitely stepping up,” Young said. “Kids I talk to, they just want to give. They’re digging deeper. They’re coming through.”

SADD currently has between 60 and 70 active members at the high school.