East Whittier Schools Donate to Charity and Families in Need

EAST WHITTIER – East Whittier City School District students are giving back to the community this holiday season by donating funds, food, toys, clothing and other items to charities and families in need.

The District emphasizes civic responsibility by providing students opportunities for active participation in meeting the needs of the community.

Granada Middle School’s Think Pink Club, a student-run philanthropic club, donated socks, books, board games and school supplies to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and From Maddi’s Closet, a nonprofit public charity for children with cancer. Items were gathered during Granada’s We Care Wednesdays, a month-long drive during which donation boxes were placed in front of classrooms to collect contributions corresponding with the week’s theme.

This year, the club expanded its philanthropic reach by donating $500 to a teacher in the District battling cancer.

“I just really like helping people and this club allows me to give back to the community,” said Jorgia Carlson, a sixth-grade member of the Think Pink Club.

Additionally, the club raises money for the American Cancer Society throughout the year by selling Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and other items. This year, the Think Pink Club was able to donate $2,500 to the society.

At La Colima Elementary, the Parent Teacher Association held a Food and Toy Drive from Nov. 12 through Dec. 7 in which students donated canned goods, bagged rice, bagged beans, and new and unwrapped toys to collection boxes in their classrooms. Donations will be sorted by the PTA and be made into holiday dinners and gift baskets and given to 18 families in need. Families will be contacted by a parent/community liaison and health clerk to schedule a pickup.

“The East Whittier City School District is proud of all of our organizations for constantly paying it forward to the community,” said Superintendent Mary Branca. “We understand we all have a civic responsibility to help those in need, and these drives allow us to provide for something greater than ourselves.”

Photo Captions:

EWCSDCommServ1: Granada Middle School sixth-grader Jorgia Carlson assists with collecting contributions on behalf of the school’s philanthropic organization, the Think Pink Club.

EWCSDCommServ2: Students from Granada Middle School’s Think Pink Club present a $500 check to a District teacher battling cancer.