EDITOR: I recently saw a video on Oprah Winfrey.com where she
brought Christmas to 50,000 African children in December 2002. Her
video began with a story of a particular Christmas she experienced
when she was 12 years old.
EDITOR:
I recently saw a video on Oprah Winfrey.com where she brought Christmas to 50,000 African children in December 2002. Her video began with a story of a particular Christmas she experienced when she was 12 years old. Her family was on welfare and her mother gave her news that they were too poor to receive any presents that year.
However, Oprah did receive one gift from a kind nun, a small doll. Her lasting memory of that Christmas was not “the doll,” but that she was able to go to school and not have to tell her classmates that she received nothing for Christmas. Oprah believes in “Sharing Her Abundance.” Thus came Christmas to the 50,000 children.
I am currently on the Home and School Club (HSC) for Central High School. This is nothing like either of the HSC committees I have participated in the past. Central’s HSC consists of two volunteers, Dora Basham and myself. We are the committee to raise funds for everything.
Before I got involved with Central High School I knew very little about the campus and students. Central is an alternative school for high school students in danger of failing to graduate. There are approximately 108 students enrolled and this year more than 50 will graduate.
At this period of economic hard times, education budget cuts and war, our students are facing many challenges. Some, very close to them, some, not. These students have worked very hard to accomplish the credits needed to graduate.
Unfortunately, many of them are unable to even purchase their cap and gown for graduation. There is no HSC budget for senior picnic, prom, grad night, senior pictures, class rings, etc. I am sure that there are many of you reading this who remembers your graduation from high school with memory of celebration and souvenirs acknowledging your accomplishments.
I believe these kids deserve the same. I have lived in Morgan Hill for eight years now and feel I am surrounded by “abundance.” Perhaps you and/or your family would consider sponsoring a graduating senior or making a donation to our funds to see that every graduate has the same opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments.
I can be contacted at 408-568-9606.
Wendy Mann, Morgan Hill
