Guadalupe school gives holiday care packages to families in need
GUADALUPE, Calif. - Christmas came a little early on Friday in Guadalupe.
Twenty families with children at Kermit McKenzie Intermediate High School received special holiday care packages.
"We are a family here and we came up with an idea of what can we do to give back," said principal Alex Jauregui. "We decided as a staff to get together create some holiday care packages."
The care packages were funded from donations by McKenzie teachers, community members, local business and the Guadalupe Kids Come First Foundation.
Jauregui said they each contained about $150 worth of goods.
"There's a turkey, there's stuffing, there's mashed potatoes, there's rice, there's a pie, a Target gift card and a few other things to make it comfortable for the families this Christmas," said teacher Rosie Garcia.
Five students from each of the school's four different grade levels were specially chosen to receive the gift.
"It's important to us because these are our kids and we want to make sure they have a warm meal this Christmas vacation and they know how much we care about them," said teacher Melissa Rivera. "It's a love that's unconditional and want them and their families to know that."
Parent Angela Villegas and her family was one of the recipients chosen to receive a care package.
When presented with the donation, she was overwhelmed with gratitude.
"It's just a blessing," said Villegas. "I don't know what else to say. It just feels like a blessing."
For the mother of two young girls, the gift has extra meaning.
"I've been battling cancer for two years," said Villegas. "I'm having surgery in February. It's really emotional for me right now. We were planning that we were not going to have a Christmas for my kids because the payments for the doctor is too expensive."
She said receiving the donation will help lessen the financial burden.
"It's going to be a big difference and good lesson for me and my kids and hopefully next year we can help in anything and we can be helping others doing the same thing," said Villegas.
Teachers say knowing that the care packages are going to make such a big impact is exactly why they started what they hope will be an annual tradition.
"I've been a teacher in this district for over 24 years and this is the first time that I've had an opportunity to be a part of a giving in this way and it feels really good," said Rivera. "It warms my heart to know that some of our students that may have gone without are actually going to have something nice this holiday season."
For Villegas, she had a message for all of those who helped out with the care packages.
"Thank you so much," Villegas said. "I really appreciate it and God bless you all for the help that you are providing."
