The Dinuba Unified District has gathered for the Holidays to help those families in need. This particular event is called “ Angel Tree” and it is held at each school site in Dinuba, California.
Each school site has their own sign-up sheet for teachers to identify a student who is in extreme poverty, homeless, and foster care. Once those students have been identified there will be a search for how many are in the family. As teachers or administrators sign those students up, information of their needs and interests were required, such as shoe sizes, clothes sizes.
Out of respect for the list families who are involved in the “ Angel Tree” their privacy is only kept in DUSD. And for those out of DUSD who wished to help out, only received information about how many family members there are and shoe sizes, clothes sizes, types of toys. As DUSD does not want to violate any privacy laws. When a staff member from Dinuba “adopted” a family or individual and brought in gifts to the school site. That family was notified about receiving gifts and had the choice to either pick up or get the gifts delivered.
Head counselor at Dinuba High School, Mrs. Sanchez is in charge of the shopping for the families of Dinuba High School who are on the list. Mrs.Sanchez has been helping make this event possible since it started, she states “It’s what Christmas is, it’s about giving”. Mrs. Sanchez does her best to find what is needed for the families and what is requested. She also states that it is a sad situation to see families struggling but it is rewarding for her to be able to do this for those families.
This is a beautiful way to bring the holiday spirit and the opportunity to help give Christmas gifts to those who can’t, due to complicated situations. Events like these really say something about the type of community Dinuba is and how they come together to spread smiles and beautiful experiences. We give thanks to Dinuba Unified District for holding this joyful event and thank you to those staff members and community members who contributed to these amazing families and individuals. Bringing the joy of Christmas to our community.
Merry Christmas from yours truly Emperor Grapevine!
