Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Ernie Rodrigues of West Valley College will deliver bears donated by West Valley students to needy children.

College students, faculty remember less fortunate

With a choir singing, kids opened gifts, played games

By Cecily Barnes

Students and faculty at West Valley College put on their holiday hats this month and threw a party for the children of West Valley's low-income and single-parent students.

"He had a wonderful time," reentry student Sherry Montoya said of her 15-month-old son. "Santa Claus was the main hero there. My son was just enthralled with him."

Participating students had picture ornaments of their children hung from the student center's holiday tree before those hit with the Christmas spirit showed up to pick a child to help. With only one week to shop, participants scrambled off to L'il Things, Toys R Us, and other toy epicenters, in search of the perfect gift. On Dec. 7, participating families congregated with their children at West Valley's cafeteria for a holiday bash.

With a choir caroling in the background, the children opened gifts, played party games and sat on Santa's lap.

"The Santa Claus really made them believe he was Santa," said Montoya. "He had a real beard and the 'Ho ho ho.' He really pulled it off."

"All the children got to sit with Santa, and they each got their wrapped gift with their picture on it," said Susan Horton, interim coordinator of the Educational Transition Adult Reentry Program at West Valley College

"And they each got a gift bag filled with stocking stuffer items."

Tables were also stacked with baked goods, apples, oranges, cheeses and drinks.

"A couple of people came up and said this was going to be a big part of their Christmas, and they were so grateful," Horton said. "They got quite a bit of stuff, plus at the end we gave them all the extra food."

Most of the students who participated were single parents on AFDC, Horton said. The event, coordinated by students Sandra Havens and Chris Hicks, was funded largely through the Associated Student Body and the Inter Club Council. This was the sixth year this celebration has been held.

"It was very helpful," Montoya said. "I've never been so poor in my life. For the past two years I haven't had any sort of Christmas at all."