Some Cobb County high school students have been raising money to make the holiday season cheerier for underprivileged children.

Kennesaw Mountain was the first school to hold shopping events for students in nearby elementary schools. The event is modeled after the 10-year-old “Shop with a Hero” program, sponsored by the JOY Foundation of Acworth.

Now, the project has spread to at least six other schools.

Marlon Longacre, community pastor of NorthStar Church in Acworth, has helped other schools start similar programs.

“It’s teaching the students to take care of their communities,” Longacre said. “It’s making the character education programs at schools come alive.”

On Saturday, Pope High School’s “Shop With a Greyhound” event will give gift cards to children with cancer and others in financial need. Pope students have raised more than $11,000 for the event.

Pope principal Rick Beaulieu said the service project is educational for high schoolers, as well as a way for students to give back to the community.

On Dec. 13, Sprayberry students will serve breakfast to children from four nearby elementary schools before loading buses to head to Wal-Mart on Collins Road to shop.

The first “Shop with a Yellow Jacket” event will conclude with lunch at the high school, where students also can wrap gifts.

Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb, Hillgrove and Allatoona high schools have similar events planned. Allatoona’s “Shop with a Buccaneer” will be Dec. 13 at Target in Acworth.

Those who would like to contribute to the shopping events should contact the respective schools.