Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 12-13-18 E-edition

A8 | Thursday, December 13, 2018 Back Page The Dinuba Sentinel
Images from London Christmas Parade
Cutler-Orosi
The Washington Intermediate School Thunder Pride Marching Band marches through the steets of London.
The Cutler-Orosi Family Education Center invites the community to join them in providing support to families in the Cutler-Orosi area in their annual holiday season drive.
Director of Family Education Center, Cyndee Garcia, says every year the center participates in different holiday distributions.
“We’ve gone from food basket distributions and partner with all of the schools that usually have their canned food drive,” Garcia said.
Once the donated items are collected, student volunteers from the schools will come out and assist with sorting the food.
“We sort and see what we have cause its different every year because it gets bigger and bigger,” Garcia said. “We also get donations from local packing shed companies.”
Fifty boxes of food were put together for families that were identified by the schools that were in need over the holidays last year, according to Garcia.
“That was the canned food that we got from the children basically raised and on top of that we’re able to couple that with donations we received from other organizations, that brought in fresh vegetables or fruits.”
This year a goal of the drive is to reach 100 families, according to Garcia.
Garcia added, “We feed our students three meals a day but over the winter break we don’t have that resource for our students, so what are we going to do in the meantime when they’re at home. Some of our families struggle, so
community pulls
together for food
drive, season
we want try to help them as much as we possibly can,” she added. “I think it’s a really good community event.”
Garcia noted that service groups such as Kiwanis and Lions Clubs have been actively involved as well as high school students looking to do community service hours.
“One of the graduation requirements at Orosi High School is the students have to do community service hours, some kids see the flyer and want to participate and help,” Garcia said. “We can use all the hands that we can possibly get.”
Former graduates of Orosi High have also contributed, according to Garcia.
And there’s more.
“The canned food drive is only part of what we’re doing in December,” Garcia said. “We also look for warm clothing and heaters. Last year, we had a lot of clothing that was donated as well and it was some our community partners to help.”
A target week to have the items ready for distribution will be held Dec. 17, according to Garcia.
“We should have the bulk we are receiving on Monday, Dec. 17, so that’s the day were going to have student volunteers to help sort.”
Garcia said the center is used as a location for families to collect their boxes or donated items.
“We also have had in previous years, delivered them to the schools,” Garcia said. “It’s a mix. It’s just whatever is best for the family and what makes more sense.”
For more information on how you can help please, contact Garcia at 528-1790 ext. 4012.
By George M. Villagrana
Parade Grand Marshal Roger Tiffin.
A Cruising for Jesus off-road vehicle rolls through town.
Santa's helpers greet parade-goers.
'Mary and Baby Jesus' come to the town of London
Photos by Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
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