Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, and his younger sister, Medina, 5, high-five as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts.

Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, and his younger sister, Medina, 5, high-five as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

“We have to get her the Barbie Dreamhouse,” Lucy Tarno told her mother.

But the sixth-grader at Grisham Middle School wasn’t asking for a Christmas present for herself. She was talking about her school’s philanthropy project to collect gifts from the community for Season for Caring’s Babrakzai family.

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Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, embraces Season for Caring coordinator Nicole Villalpando as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts.

Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, embraces Season for Caring coordinator Nicole Villalpando as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanAbdullah Babrakzai, 8, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts for his family.

Abdullah Babrakzai, 8, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts for his family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanMaya Skaff, left, and Amelia Matheny wait outside the door to deliver the first few presents as students from Grisham Middle School.

Maya Skaff, left, and Amelia Matheny wait outside the door to deliver the first few presents as students from Grisham Middle School.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanSimone Talma Flowers, the executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, speaks to students from Grisham Middle School as they prepare to deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Simone Talma Flowers, the executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, speaks to students from Grisham Middle School as they prepare to deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanHabibullah Babrakzai, 10 and Waranga Babrakzai, 12, unwrap gifts after students from Grisham Middle School delivered them.

Habibullah Babrakzai, 10 and Waranga Babrakzai, 12, unwrap gifts after students from Grisham Middle School delivered them.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanHoliday gifts fill the back of a U-Haul truck as students from Grisham Middle School deliver them to the Babrakzai family.

Holiday gifts fill the back of a U-Haul truck as students from Grisham Middle School deliver them to the Babrakzai family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanStudents, teachers and volunteers from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Students, teachers and volunteers from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanMadina Babrakzai, 5, shows off her “M” necklace she received after students from Grisham Middle Schoo.

Madina Babrakzai, 5, shows off her “M” necklace she received after students from Grisham Middle Schoo.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanStudents and volunteers from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Students and volunteers from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanHabibullah Babrakzai, 10, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts to his family.

Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts to his family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanIkramullah Babrakzai, 15, unwraps presents after students from Grisham Middle School.

Ikramullah Babrakzai, 15, unwraps presents after students from Grisham Middle School.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanHabibullah Babrakzai, 10, looks for gifts with his name on them to unwrap as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to his family.

Habibullah Babrakzai, 10, looks for gifts with his name on them to unwrap as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to his family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanAbdullah Babrakzai, 8, reacts as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts for his family.

Abdullah Babrakzai, 8, reacts as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts for his family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanMadina Babrakzai, 5, watches the pile of gifts grow as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts for her family. Madina was burned last December by hot tea and is still undergoing treatment.

Madina Babrakzai, 5, watches the pile of gifts grow as students from Grisham Middle School deliver gifts for her family. Madina was burned last December by hot tea and is still undergoing treatment.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPresents fill up the living room of the Babrakzai family as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts.

Presents fill up the living room of the Babrakzai family as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanAbdullah Babrakzai, 8, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to his family.

Abdullah Babrakzai, 8, smiles as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to his family.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Lucy quickly became invested in making sure 5-year-old Madina Babrakzai got that Dreamhouse.

Every day, Lucy came home from school talking about Season for Caring, said her sister Breelyn, a 10th-grader. “She was so excited to donate,” Breelyn said. “It was really awesome to see her so excited about this.”

When Lucy told her teacher that her family had purchased the Dreamhouse, the reaction was immediate. Her teacher cried.

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It was one of the moments Grisham art teacher Kristin Goodman had hoped her school could make happen. Everyone wanted to see Madina get her big Christmas wish. Madina, who loves Barbies, was badly burned by hot water last year and is still undergoing treatments to improve her skin.

The Babrakzai family came to the U.S. in 2023 after fleeing Afghanistan to Pakistan when the U.S. left the country in 2021. Madina’s father, Raees Khan Babrakzai, had helped inspect buildings the U.S. was constructing for Afghanistan’s police force. After the Taliban takeover, it was no longer safe for the family to stay.

In just two years, the Babrakzai children have gone from knowing no English and never having attended school to speaking English fluently and thriving in class.

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On Tuesday, Grisham middle-schoolers and their parents carried armloads of gifts into the family’s apartment. 

This year, the school collected $7,255 in gift cards and about $20,000 worth of gifts. “Twenty thousand? Dang,” said 8-year-old Abdullah, after helping Goodman announce the totals. It was a school record.

Since 2010, Grisham has donated more than $121,000 in gifts to Season for Caring.

Madina Babrakzai, 5, unwraps her Barbie doll house after students from Grisham Middle School delivered them to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive, Dec. 23, 2025. Madina was burned last December by hot tea and is still undergoing treatments. Grisham Middle School has raised more than $121,000 in gifts for Season for Caring since they started participating in 2010.

Madina Babrakzai, 5, unwraps her Barbie doll house after students from Grisham Middle School delivered them to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive, Dec. 23, 2025. Madina was burned last December by hot tea and is still undergoing treatments. Grisham Middle School has raised more than $121,000 in gifts for Season for Caring since they started participating in 2010.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

“We get some praise every time we do this on how hard we worked and how big the pile is and how amazing it is that it all came together, but really the biggest gift is to us,” Goodman said.  

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Community and helping our neighbors, she said, “that’s a huge core value for us. It gives me faith in a better world that we are able to come together and do this every year.” 

Students make it happen by handing out flyers in their neighborhoods, asking parents to post flyers at work, soliciting donations from businesses and turning the school into Season for Caring central, with posters and wish lists lining the walls.

“It takes a lot for these kids to go door to door,” said science teacher Erika Alderman-Macht. “They have to believe in themselves.” 

Students had six workdays to complete the project, including a final wrapping day when dozens stayed after school to wrap and label presents. The effort is entirely student-led — from choosing a family to designing flyers and tracking wish-list items.

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“This was very fun, and I’m glad I got to do this,” Lucy said. She’s already thinking about next year. 

Maya Skaff, right, stacks presents for Amelia Matheny to carry up as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive, Dec. 23, 2025. 

Maya Skaff, right, stacks presents for Amelia Matheny to carry up as students from Grisham Middle School deliver collected gifts to the Babrakzai family, the recipients of their holiday gift drive, Dec. 23, 2025. 

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

At a time when refugees, especially those from Afghanistan, are being questioned about their loyalty to the U.S., Grisham Middle School wrapped its arms around one family.

“I hope, kids, that you enjoy the gifts,” Goodman said, talking to the Babrakzai children, “but more than anything, you can see how much we love you and that we are really glad you are here. … Thank you for letting us give to you. We love you, neighbors.” 

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The family was overwhelmed by the generosity.

“I am very appreciative to you to do this for my family,” Raees Khan Babrakzai said.

So many items that had seemed like dreams just a month earlier now filled their living room: a PlayStation 5, computers and a new TV, but also clothes, shoes, backpacks and towels. 

“I am very thankful for them to bring us some gifts,” said oldest son Ikramullah, 15.

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While Grisham fulfilled most of the family’s wish list, some needs remain. Raees Khan Babrakzai hopes to return to school to earn a master’s or nursing degree. Ikramullah and his mother, Fahima, both need driving lessons, and Fahima needs English lessons. The family would also like a second car.

To learn more about the family or donate, contact Interfaith Action of Central Texas at 512-386-9145 or interfaithtexas.org. 

Statesman Season for Caring logo

Statesman Season for Caring logo

American-Statesman

About Season for Caring

The Statesman is sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families through Jan. 31. Find more stories at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. 

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Donations can be made online or by using the coupon on Page 2B and mailing it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.”

Use the form below or click here:https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring

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