Issue date: December 23, 1998
La Entrada School's second annual "Joy of Giving" program has expanded to serve more needy people, organizers said.
The program, a volunteer effort by students, parents, and school staff at La Entrada to provide holiday gifts to needy people, cheers more than just the recipients. Volunteer and parent Naomi Stoler says the program is a way for the school community to build a connection with the world outside its doors and keep the holiday spirit of generosity alive throughout the year.
For both years of the program, La Entrada has worked with Families in Transition, a nonprofit organization that provides social and educational services to people in need. Members of the La Entrada School community have chosen names from a list of children served by the nonprofit group. Each of the children will receive a gift for the holidays.
In addition, each grade level participated in a penny drive which netted $770 worth of pennies to be donated to the organization. The money will go toward the "adoption" of 10 families whose holiday requests will be met.
This year the program was expanded to include a "Warm Comforts" program, in which new socks, hats, gloves, and mittens were donated by La Entrada families and staff. The donations were given to the nonprofit agency Shelter Network, which aids the homeless in San Mateo County.
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