November 25, 2005

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Cub Scouts raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

The Williams Elementary Cub Scouts could hardly hold back their enthusiasm last Thursday night when their Cub Master presented a giant check for $500 to an American Red Cross representative. The check represents months of the scouts’ hard work and dedication.

As Cub Scouts from Pack 272 cheer, Cub Master Steve Continho presents their donation to Kathy Miller, director of development for the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Scouts do a lot of fundraising in the fall. They gather outside supermarkets and convenience stores to sell festive cans of popcorn to potential customers in order to fund their pack’s annual activities.

This year, one pack decided to help others as well as themselves. Epitomizing the core values of Cub Scouting, such as citizenship, compassion and responsibility, Pack 272 swung into action to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina by donating a good portion of their popcorn sales for those in need.

Den Leader Barb Asplund applauds the boy’s decision. “It was their idea to donate a portion of their earnings to charity,” she said. “They realized that things they take for granted—like food or a coat—are lacking in places that aren’t really that far away. It means a lot to them to be able to do something that makes a difference.”
 
Cub Master Steve Continho knows the pack worked hard to collect money for the American Red Cross. He sees the experience as a win-win situation. “They were selling something for a good cause and seeing that their community is supportive,” he said. “The key thing for Cub Scouts is, ‘Do a good turn daily,’ and they can’t start that early enough.”

For these children, giving to others is a natural extension of the life skills they’ve learned through Cub Scouting. For the American Red Cross, and those they aid, this act of kindness by elementary school children was heartily appreciated.

“It means a lot to the people who need it,” said Kathy Miller, development director for the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. “I’ve seen it. These people have tears in their eyes and are so happy that others care about them.”

Bear Cub Daniel Jacoby said he felt joyful donating funds to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. “People hit by Hurricane Katrina got really hurt and some died,” he said. “I think they should have money so they won’t die of starvation.”

Webelo Eric Durand was also happy to help. “I wanted to give money so that the people who got hurt can get better,” he said.

Miller congratulated the scouts for being true to the Cub Scout Promise. “You helped people who needed it,” she said. “Because of the money you raised, we can give people medicine, clothes, food and places to stay. I hope you remember growing up that giving to others is a good thing to do and so important.”

Miller sees the scouts’ donations as a positive statement about their commitment to their community and the future. “I’m proud of them and they should be proud of themselves,” she said, “As Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’”

Committee Chair David Quach sees this experience as an empowering one for the scouts. “They did something to help people in need, used their life skills and gained confidence,” he said.

“In scouting, they learn about respect, caring and courage,” said Asplund. “It’s neat to see it carry over into their daily lives, taking a little extra thought and making a difference to be a good person.”

Den Leader Angie Pate agrees. “Scouting teaches the boys that they have a responsibility to the community in which they live,” she said. “They will always remember how good it feels to help others.”

Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, believed that scouts should ‘Be Prepared’ to become productive citizens and bring happiness to others. He wanted each scout to meet life’s challenges with a strong heart and to live happily without regret, knowing that he had done his best. The Cub Scouts of Pack 272 would have made him proud.

Nancy Pyle and mayor distribute Thanksgiving meals to needy families at Sacred Heart

By Sheila Sanchez
Staff Writer

City Councilmember Nancy Pyle along with San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Councilmember Forrest Williams visited Sacred Heart Community Service in downtown San Jose Wednesday to distribute Thanksgiving meals to local families in need.

Hundreds of families lined up outside the organization’s distribution center on south First Street to receive boxes full of free turkeys and other food items for their Thanksgiving dinners.

From left to right, San Jose City Councilmember Forrest Williams, Councilmember Nancy Pyle and San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales visited Sacred Heart Community Service in downtown San Jose Wednesday to distribute Thanksgiving meals to local families in need. Photo by Sheila Sanchez

Pyle and her staff were part of a group of 26 people from City Hall who spent several hours at the nonprofit organization to bring happiness and cheer to low-income families. They also worked in Louise’s Pantry.

This year the agency had more than 3,000 families registered to accept food donations.

“The city of San Jose gives so much support throughout the year,” said Debra Sue Stevens, Sacred Heart Community Service community relations manager. “This is just one example of how The Heart offers great opportunities to give back to our community.”

Pyle and her colleagues sorted canned food, bagged beans, rice and produce, assembled boxes, sorted clothing donations and distributed boxes to the residents.

Sacred Heart Community Service has been an integral part of the San Jose non-profit scene for more than 40 years. The charity’s mission is to change lives and impact poverty by providing essential services, offering tools for self-sufficiency and ministering with dignity, compassion and respect.

Sacred Heart Community Service offers a wide array of educational opportunities, such as computer and English classes, after-school programs for local youth, job search assistance and family support services through its “Embracing Families” program.

Pyle, who will be spending Thanksgiving with her family in her Almaden home, said the holiday season gives her an opportunity to give back to the community.

“This is a fantastic organization and I can’t think of any place I would rather be on Thanksgiving eve than here because this is a celebration of everyone coming together to help out those who are less fortunate,” she said.

“The exuberance, the enthusiasm and the gratitude on the part of those getting the food are absolutely wonderful. The time leading up to Thanksgiving provides a wonderful chance to take a hands-on approach to helping those in need within our great city,” Pyle said.

To sign-up for a holiday volunteer opportunity or to receive further information on the organization, contact the
volunteer office at volunteers@SacredHeartCommunityService.org or call (408) 278-2171.

Almaden Country School	Almaden Country School
Students, parents and teachers enjoyed the Thanksgiving feast they created at tables decorated with the students’ artwork at Almaden Country School. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert	Big and Little Buddies enjoyed sharing in the Thanksgiving celebration. “It’s such a special occasion,” says parent volunteer Maria Larsen. “It brings a lot of warmth and love out in our community.”
Precious Preschool	One World Montessori
As part of their Thanksgiving festivities, Precious Preschool students share in a musical celebration.	Students at One World Montessori School joyfully prepared their own Thanksgiving feast, shucking corn, snapping beans, mashing potatoes and sifting flour. “Children this age learn by doing,” says school founder Rebecca Keith, “and having the opportunity to participate in this activity makes it real for them and more meaningful.”