Local schools reach out to needy students, families every year

Two years ago, students Maricruz and Raul Gonzalez had just lost their mother and were living in an unheated garage subsisting on only tortillas and water.

The Lodi High School community felt something needed to be done for these teenagers, and the Holiday Team was born.

This year, under the guidance of Administrative Assistant Dyan Yanez, staff will do the same for a record number of recipients. Three weeks before Thanksgiving, there are already 60 students on the team's list to receive food baskets, according to Yanez.

"Last year's numbers were high, but this year, as early as it is, that number has already been exceeded by 16 more student families," she said. "We have students who are homeless, without food, warm clothes. We attribute this to the high unemployment rate and these economic times."

Former Principal Bill Atterberry said staff wasn't even aware of the Gonzalez' plight until one of them walked into the Migrant Education office in 2007 and fainted.

Yanez, Assistant Principal Heidi Reyes and Migrant Education Coordinator Maria Rodriguez went to their adult peers and the community, and raised thousands of dollars to get the brother and sister a new place to stay, and even a car for Raul.

"That tradition has carried on ever since," Atterberry said, adding that the school's staff generously "adopts" needy children and provides for them during the holidays.

Last season, the school focused on students who were homeless, had just lost a parent or came from such a large family that it is difficult to feed all of the children in the household. They assisted 40 families with meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Yanez praised past staff efforts.

"They always say, 'What can I do?' Even if it's as small as wrapping gifts, they always want to pitch in," she said, adding that on staff donations alone the team last year was able to purchase thick thermal sweatshirts for every needy student at Christmas.

"Our Holiday Team and staff get overwhelmed seeing the reaction of these students. It is very rewarding to help someone in their time of need."

Those who benefit, too, are overwhelmed, according to Yanez. "They are grateful, they get teary-eyed, and they give you hugs. Most of the time they are so excited and elated," she said.

She chalks that reaction up to their age. "They are just kids, and I think when their home life changes and takes a downturn, they feel hopeless to help and they carry that burden with them. In a small way this is their way to help out their family," Yanez said.

Today, Yanez regularly keeps in touch with Maricruz, even calling her a daughter. The young woman who graduated in the spring has a new boyfriend, attends college and has a job.

"We came together as a community and help poured in to assist them. They are thriving and doing well today," Yanez said.

How you can help

Canned goods collected at Friday's Lodi High football game against Cesar Chavez High went to the holiday team's efforts.

Now, organizers are working with a local church and the school's Future Farmers of America club to prepare holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are accepting donations from community members for additional baskets and Christmas gifts for every needy student. Send donations to the Holiday Team c/o Lodi High School, 3 S. Pacific Ave., Lodi, 95242. If you have any questions, contact Dyan Yanez at 331-7676.

News-Sentinel staff

Students and staff at other Lodi Unified School District schools, including Plaza Robles High School, adopt a family each Christmas.

And while teachers at Elkhorn Elementary School have not officially teamed up during the holiday season, they have provided assistance or a couple of gifts to students who are in tough times, according to principal Scott McGregor.

Tokay High School has a "Holiday Angels" effort to help students and their families by donating needed items. It is spearheaded by Sheila Abdallah and Jodie Bluhm.

Like Lodi High, staff there identify students and their families in need or those who could use a boost during the holidays, and the staff steps forward with donations of new clothes, store gift cards, supermarket gift cards, or other things identified that a specific student or family needs, according to Principal Erik Sandstrom.

"In the past, we have had upwards of 40 or more students/families who the staff have adopted and/or assisted," Sandstrom said.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

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