Trees of Love in Lynbrook

Students at Our Lady of Peace School are decking the halls with two trees of “Christmas love” this holiday season. Instead of decorative ornaments, they are hanging donated items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and cough drops to spread some Christmas cheer to the homeless.

Since Nov. 29, members of the Student Council and Friends of Rachel — a club that celebrates the memory of Rachel Scott, the first victim in the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado in 1999 — have been collecting donations for Project Renewal, a ministry for the homeless in New York City.

“I hope all of us learn that the world is a beautiful place with a lot of wonderful and generous people,” said Barbara Faber, director of Our Lady of Peace church’s parish social ministry. “But people are going through difficult times, so we wanted to do something to lighten their burden.”

The trees, which were put up Thanksgiving week, stand in the school library and in its main corridor. The idea of decorating them with practical gifts for the homeless came to a small group of students with big dreams.

“Most of us are young and not really adults, but doing the project is like a chance to help the community and homeless people,” said Zeeliah Ignace, a student and a public relations officer for the Student Council. “It’s a good chance to help them.”

“Some older students came up with the idea and encouraged other children,” Faber said. “They got it organized.” Some 20 students sent e-mails and fliers to parents and put up posters. Guided by an advisor, Dawn Battista, the school librarian, students also go around to classrooms each day to collect donations in wood baskets, which are placed around the trees.

“They decided they wanted to help out people who are less fortunate,” Battista said. “We talked to Sister Barbara and the church, and they set up trees in the school. They wanted to promote kindness and decorate them.” Battista said she believes that a quote from Aesop sums up what the project should be about for the students: “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”