Kids Get Into Holiday Spirit of Giving

The students of La Purisima School got creative with their holiday charity work in recognition of 2000 by collecting 2,000 items of choice per grade level that they donated to local organizations.

“It was great for the kids,” said Kathy Manulkin, principal of the Catholic school, which serves preschoolers to eighth-graders. “It showed them they can share gifts they have with other people in the world.”

The preschoolers collected 2,000 recycled cans to fund a donation to the Holy Family Adoption Agency and 2,000 pieces of silverware for Mary’s Soup Kitchen.

The following grades collected 2,000 of each of these items:

* kindergartners, dimes for the Sisters of the Company of Mary missions in Africa;

* first-graders, dimes for the developmentally disabled through the Knights of Columbus;

* second-graders, diapers for the Corazon charity group;

* third-graders, quarters for the Leukemia Society;

* fourth-graders, cards for prisoners working with Detention Ministry of the parish;

* fifth-graders, dimes for Habitat for Humanity;

* sixth-graders, used toys and clothing for the County of Orange for homeless and disadvantaged children;

* seventh-graders, quarters for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation;

* and eighth-graders, diapers and clothing for Casa Theresa, a home for unmarried mothers.

Marissa Espino may be reached at (714) 966-5879.