COUNTYWIDE : Students Join In for a Santa Cause

Jose Reyes’ eyes lit up with surprise and happiness Friday when boxes of food, clothes and Christmas gifts were delivered to his home by high school students.

Jose, 9, and his six brothers and sisters were not expecting to have any kind of Christmas this year after their mother, Carmen, told them she had no money for the gifts they longed to get.

But the children’s hope was not destroyed.

A group of about 25 La Habra High School students visited them with bundles filled with donations they had gathered at school.

“I can’t believe it,” Jose said as he clutched a gift. “I’m so happy. I’m going to wait until Christmas . . . so I’ll have something to open.”

His neighbor Cecilia Romero, 5, simply couldn’t hold back.

She tore into a box and pulled out toys and clothes. “Clothes! Belts! Socks! Monkeys! Lots of clothes,” she yelled.

The students, members of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano Aztlan), each year organize the gift-giving to help some of La Habra’s neediest families.

“It’s such a great feeling of warmth and kindness,” said Paula Agras, 17, president of MEChA. “I just love doing this. I get a good feeling that makes me feel happy.”

MEChA adviser and history teacher Frank Thompson said the project teaches the students a lesson in charity. The lesson “makes the students feel good about themselves, and that affects their self-esteem, and that produces a ripple effect that extends beyond the perceivable.”

Caleb Smith, 17, agreed.

“It makes me want to help even more,” Smith said. “And it makes me want to work harder in life so I can succeed.”

The food and gifts were given to families served by ESA Anaheim Community Service. The food, gifts and certificates--to buy trees and Christmas dinner items--were delivered to the ESA center this week.