BUENA PARK, CA – Buena Park School District students and their families beamed with excitement as they received presents from Santa Claus during the Orange County Union Carpenters’ Christmas Toy and Food Giveaway on Dec. 11.

More than 85 Carl E. Gilbert Elementary School families participated in the drive-through event, where they received toys and food to help during the holidays. Participants were also given KN95 masks to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic and household supplies such as shampoo.

“This event really got me in the holiday spirit,” Gilbert Elementary School parent Yadira N. said. “I’m excited to see my kids play with these toys and have fun over the holidays.”

The Orange County Union Carpenters are part of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, which represent more than 57,000 members across Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. The organization participates in many philanthropic ventures, including Halloween safe zones, book and toy drives and back-to-school supply donations.

Alongside Orange County Union Carpenters, the event was organized by the Buena Park School District Educational Services Department, Gilbert Elementary School Principal Leslie Ramirez and the District’s Wellness Teacher Charlene Ball.

“I’m really blessed for this fantastic partnership with the Carpenter’s Union. It was great to see everyone smile and enjoy the holiday spirit,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez hopes to continue the partnership with Orange County Union Carpenters and help organize this event for years to come.

“A big thank you to Gilbert Elementary and the Orange County Union Carpenters for supporting our District families during the holidays,” Buena Park School District Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “We want to give warmth to our families over the holidays and provide the opportunity for them to share precious moments with their loved ones.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BUENAPARK_TOYGIVEAWAY1: Santa gifts a Christmas present to a Gilbert Elementary School student at the Orange County Union Carpenters’ Christmas Toy and Food Giveaway on Dec. 11 at the Buena Park Training Center.

BUENAPARK_TOYGIVEAWAY2: Gilbert Elementary School families were gifted presents at the Orange County Union Carpenters’ Christmas Toy and Food Giveaway on Dec. 11 at the Buena Park Training Center. The Flores family excitedly receives their present from Santa.

BUENAPARK_TOYGIVEAWAY3: A member of the Orange County Union Carpenters’ delivers a colorful bicycle to a lucky Gilbert School family during the organization’s Christmas Toy and Food Giveaway on Dec. 11 at the Buena Park Training Center.