School briefs: St. Francis High maintains spirit of giving Watts parish

It’s the holiday season once again, and St. Francis High School is celebrating with an opportunity for residents to give to the less fortunate at their annual Christmas Toy Drive. This year’s drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

New, unwrapped toys that are donated will go to providing the families of the St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts with a merry Christmas. Donors are asked to drop toys off at St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd. For more information, contact Andy Burghdorf at (818) 790-0325, ext. 513.

In addition, last month the students, faculty and staff at St. Francis collected canned food to support the St. Lawrence Parish to ensure that families in need had food on the table for Thanksgiving. The community donated more than 5,200 cans of food, as well as $1,500 for purchasing turkeys.

The food was delivered on Tuesday, Nov. 22 by members of the school’s Living in Faith Experience team. The donated food helped feed more than 450 families.

Community Center Preschool ‘adopts’ families from Children’s Hospital

Students at the La Cañada Flintridge Community Center Preschool are experiencing the joy of giving this holiday season as they adopt the families of three patients at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles through the Holidays from the Heart program.

The students and their families are collecting clothing, presents and gift certificates for each family in need. Volunteers from the LCFCC will be wrapping and delivering the gifts on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

“These families are faced with the tremendous financial and emotional challenge of caring for a chronically ill child,” said Danielle Caputo, director of LCF Community Center Preschool, in news release. “Not only are we helping to make the holiday season a joyful time for these families, but we are also providing our preschoolers the opportunity to learn about the importance of helping those in need.”

For more information, visit www.lcfccpreschool.com.