Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Sandra Havens, who is coordinating the gift program at West Valley College, puts her selection under the tree. WVC Faculty gets in the spirit with holiday gifts and a party By Michelle Alaimo This holiday season will be a little happier for 86 children of needy and single-parent families at West Valley College. Faculty members at WVC sponsor a child by selecting an ornament with a child's picture inside and buying a gift. The ornament is then attached to the gift, ensuring the present makes it to the right child. "We just want to help them have a brighter holiday season," Susan Horton, coordinator of the educational transition/adult reentry program, said. The holiday program was started almost 10 years ago after instructors noticed that some students needed extra assistance around the holidays, Horton said. Many of the children's parents are single-parent students or low-income families. The parents must be enrolled in one of the programs that sponsors the Holiday Tree in order for their children to qualify. Horton said parents are notified by letters sent to their homes asking if they would like to be involved. The parents then submit photographs of their children, up to age 12, and give organizers some ideas for a gift their children would like. "We've had families tell us that this was basically their Christmas," Horton said. Once all the gifts are received, Horton said they throw a giant holiday bash for children. Santa Claus hands each of the youngsters their personalized gift and each child also gets a stocking or gift bag full of goodies. Children are also treated to snacks, games and prizes. "It's a wonderful event for families," Horton said. "The parents are really appreciative." Funding for the party comes from the WVC Associated Student Body and the faculty. Horton said the event brings the staff and faculty together and gives them a chance to give back to the students. "It's something that brings joy to a lot of people on campus," she said. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, December 16, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.