By Sophie Weinstein ’13, Contributor
On Tuesday during the Wrap-In assembly, Head of School Rob Macrae shared with the CCDS community that the idea for the event came from a hippie. Dr. Macrae explained that the idea for the Wrap-In was rooted in
the sit-ins of the 1960’s. In a similar fashion, the wrap-in is about sitting down and doing something to express passion for a cause; in this case, community service. An annual event held at his former school (Pingry School in New Jersey), Dr. Macrae brought the
Wrap-In tradition to CCDS.
For six years CCDS has managed to get the entire student body, 18 months to 18 years, to participate in a December Wrap- In and gather in the dining terrace for an assembly to tie the theme of giving together.
“We want to do this as a whole school, all school events send the message of what the most important things to the school are,” Dr. Macrae said.
By gathering everyone in the school to come together for the Wrap-In, CCDS tries to show support for serving the community. This year, the school wrapped and donated 808 gifts for charities.
Bonnie Nesbitt was in charge of organizing the gift giving with various charities. “The best part of the job is contacting the agencies to say we have gifts for them and then receiving their grateful thanks and appreciation,” Mrs. Nesbitt said. And there are no shortages of charities willing to accept gifts; CCDS gives to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, Survive and Thrive, Adoption Connection of Jewish Family Services, and ProKids to name a few.
During the Wrap-In the enitre school comes together. All divisions are working together to wrap presents and give them to those in need.
“I love getting to meet the students in the lower divisions and bond with them over a great cause,” Sally Portman ’13 said.
Likewise, Sarah Mae Selnick ‘13 appreciates getting to revisit her old teachers and class rooms. “I always look forward to the Wrap In because I get to meet younger students and catch up with my former teachers, all while helping in a great cause,” Selnick said.
Mrs. Nesbitt said her work on the Wrap-In is mostly “behind the scenes.” “My favorite part is seeing all the gifts and all the smiling faces together in the Dining Terrace.”
Ashley Streit ‘14 enjoys participating in the Wrap-In each year. “The Wrap-In is important to participate in each year because it gives us the chance to make someone’s holiday a little bit happier.”
Donating holiday presents goes a long way. Head of School Dr. Macrae said he can even remember his favorite Christmas present, a magnetic football game. Dr. Macrae believes that Wrap-In is a wonderful charity event that simultaneously teaches the students a lesson in giving. “The presents are one of the greatest needs this time of year,” Dr. Macrae said. “Our children are going to be showered with gifts so the juxtaposition of making sure they’re helping others while getting presents makes everyone think about the holidays a little bit differently.”
Molly Chaiken ‘17 said she has taken part in the Wrap-In since she was in first grade. “My favorite part of the Wrap-In is seeing other people in the Country Day community give back to the Cincinnati community.”
Photo courtesy of CCDS
