Outside many social studies classrooms during the holiday season, sit boxes and baskets waiting to be filled with new toys for less fortunate children every holiday season. The drive this year runs through Friday, Dec. 14, and the toy drop off is in room 223.

The Noble Teen service organization is a sub-organization of the Noblemen of Hampton Roads philanthropic organization.  Each year, the Noble Teens club, now led by teacher Mr. Howrwitz, pairs with teachers, honor societies, and other various clubs to rally the student body to donate new, unwrapped toys to later be distributed by Noblemen members.

“Every year The Noblemen provide Christmas presents to local children who would otherwise be receiving very few, if any presents for Christmas.  Last year, the Noblemen Toy Drive gave out nearly 35,000 toys to more than 5,000 kids and nearly every toy was given to a child by a child. With the help of Cox High School students, we are trying to help even more families this year,” Advisor Mr. Horwitz said.

Noble Teens, which includes 250 students spread across 10 chapters in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), was started at Tallwood High School in 2006. The philanthropic society moved to the school in 2012 and was previously sponsored by social studies teacher Mark Girard until his retirement last year.

The Falcon Noble Teen chapter has collected the most items for donation to the Noblemen out of all the chapters for the past two years, and hopes to continue the charitable act.

Noble Teen president junior Jordan Parker-Ashe is busy promoting and supporting the club’s main holiday event.

“Our Noble Teens Toy Drive is a great way to give back to the community and a great service opportunity to give kids holiday toys.  We’ve been partnering with The Noblemen for many years and it’s a very meaningful opportunity,” Parker-Ashe said.