When the cosmetology students went shopping this week for Christmas, it was for around 50 people, and they didn’t even have to pay the bill. That’s because the organization partnered with the Lions Club to provide a Christmas party for consumers at Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
“We pick out the gifts for the MHMR group,” cosmetology teacher Shelly Touchstone said. “Then Santa Claus gives them away.”
The gifts are distributed at the annual MHMR party which happens today. The cosmetology students attend the party to watch the fun after spending their week choosing and wrapping $10 gifts for each MHMR consumer.
“I feel good,” junior Bronia Olivas said. “You know you’re going to make somebody happy.”
Touchstone’s classroom was covered in different-colored wrapping paper while her cosmetology classes wrapped the packages that were to be given away.
Junior Cynthia Barron-Rey thought it was important to participate in the charity.
“When you give someone a gift, it makes you happy,” Barron-Rey said. “There are a lot of people out there, and it’s awesome to be able to help the community.”
Down the hall, auto tech students were also playing Santa and his elves as they repaired and refurbished 50-60 bicycles for their annual partnership with the Optimist Club.
According to sponsor Tom Spence, the Optimist Club chooses the families to receive the bikes, and his club accepts used bicycles to fix so they can “help the less fortunate at Christmas.”
Spence said the project helped his students not only learn about machinery but learn about helping others as well.
“It feels great to help someone less fortunate than you,” senior Felix Garcia said.
Senior Alvin Klassen felt that helping out with the charity reminded him of something everyone could relate to.
“The kid comes up and has a twinkle in his eye, and he looks so happy,” Klassen said. “We loved our bikes when we were kids, and providing one for a child less fortunate is very special.”
Every child remembers the thrill of gifts at Christmas, and these two organizations help give that thrill to children and adults who might not otherwise gave that thrill.
