The holiday spirit was in the air at Horizon School Division's central office on Wednesday.

Horizon's Christmas Hamper project was wrapping up - literally. Board members and staff gathered to pack and wrap gifts to be handed out to those less fortunate this Christmas.

"The project continues to be a bright spot for our Horizon family during the holiday season, and I am extremely grateful for that," said Director of Education Kevin Garinger.

Staff within the division purchase and collect gifts, with the Board of Education matching up to $5,000 more in gifts.

School administrators submit names of students and families they feel would benefit from the project.

This year marked the fourth year that the division has put together hampers, and Garinger says that it continues to expand.

"In the four years since we first put this initiative in place, we have seen the support for it grow. Staff from across the system contribute to the work, and our central office staff comes together with board members and volunteers to ensure the hampers are put together."

The first year of the project in 2014 saw 97 children and 45 families benefit. Now, that number has more than doubled, according to the division.

Horizon says that 307 children and 114 families will receive gifts thanks to the project.