FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School
CONTACT: Raul Melendez
329 N. Garfield Avenue
Montebello, CA. 90640
Phone: (323) 887-2066 Ext. 517
MONTEBELLO, CA. (DECEMBER 10, 2011) At their first meeting of the school year, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School National Honor Society students decided that this year their focus would be on children.
“For the past 10 years, the students have fulfilled at least one wish in “Santa Letters” forwarded to them from schools with children in need,” said instructor Mari Anne Chan. “They decided they needed to expand and service more children at other times of the year.”
After discussing the growing number of children in the United States living at or near poverty level, the idea of sponsoring a Harvest Festival for homeless children at the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission was born.
“We chose the mission because we were told that as many as 60 homeless children are living there on any given day,” said instructor Mari Anne Chan.
Following weeks of planning, 25 students arrived at the mission earlier this month and began to set up stations where the children could stop and have some fun. With Trader Joe’s in Whittier donating pumpkins, at the first station the children could select a pumpkin for decorating. There were also craft stations and a relay race.
“The children were given tickets they could use to get a gift at the winners’ table or the participants’ table,” said Chan. “Prizes included toys, candy, books, crayons and other items that the students collected from our school community.”
Cupcakes baked and donated by the students’ families were provided for all the children. “This had to be one of the best afternoons I’ve had,” said one Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary student. “Seeing the looks on the faces of the children made it all worth it.”
“Being here today made me realize how truly blessed I am and how we should all help those less fortunate,” said another.
According to Chan, the students were so moved by their experience that they hope to do something special for the mission residents on Valentine’s Day.