Delta High School holiday store is giving gifts to needy families
ORCUTT, Calif. - The Delta High School Holiday Store is spreading holiday cheer by giving free Christmas gifts to needy students and their families.
The store opens this week for a few days and is located across the street from the Orcutt campus at the Element Church.
It has been created by the school's Hope Club, which re-established the program after a one-year absence.
“This event helps any of our students who personally need items, as well as gives our students an ability to give gifts to their family and also others in need in our community at large,’’ said teacher Shawn Tracht.
Thousands of donated items including clothes for all ages, games, toiletries, blankets, candles, sports equipment and much more will go to the students.
"There's a lot of people that go without during the holiday season and Delta students and Element Church, along side of us, we really wanted to be able to give and make everybody else givers this holiday season," said Hope Club leader Nirvana Alvarez. "It makes me feel like I want to give more and it makes me feel good that a lot of people here can give."
About half of the items are brand new, while the other half are gently used.
"I think it's a great idea," said Delta senior Luis Esparza. "Shout out for them for helping us. I know sometimes people aren't as fortunate as everybody else and I think it's really cool that they went out of their way to help everybody out, so it's pretty cool."
Gathering all of the items has been a collaborative effort, between Hope Club and Element Church members, as well as Delta teachers and other students on campus.
"When you look at everyone coming together to make this possible for our students, both from donation aspects to actually facilitating everything in an organized fashion, it was beyond my belief," said Delta prinicpal Sal Reynoso. "I'm super proud and I got emotional seeing the kids walk through here and select the items and was amazed at how much we had out here and it was definitely touching, that's for sure."
“Being a part of the Hope Club and putting on the Holiday Store instills in me that I could become a giver for life and I can also inspire others to do the same,’’ said student Nirvana Alvarez.
About 375 students will take part in the week-long program.
"It really does mean a lot to me," said senior Alyssia Hansen. M"y family, we've struggled too and it feels good to be able to come here and be able to pick up anything that we want. I'm very thankful for the people that put together this thing."