Just in time for the holiday season, Clay Central/Everly Elementary and Home State Bank of Royal recently completed their annual tradition of The Giving Tree Project.

Students and staff completed this project of caring and sharing during American Education Week, Nov. 16-20. Non-perishable grocery items were collected, sorted and distributed to families within the CC/E communities.

This honored tradition of giving was started more than 20 years ago by Judy Eckard, former Home State Bank employee. Former CC/E third grade teacher Lynn Cronk and current Title 1/ESL teacher Mary Ann Jobst would sta...