A generous spirit pulls new Madera campus and students together

Not quite three months old, the Madera campus decided that one of their first acts would be one of kindness toward fellow students. Three teams of roughly two dozen students each conducted a holiday food drive from November 6-21 to be able to give away Thanksgiving dinner boxes to some of those on campus who needed it most.

The goal was to collect enough food to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 12 students and their families. Four local doctors’ offices donated money for 12 turkeys, and SJVC students did the rest.

“We wanted to help our students who were in need of a Thanksgiving dinner this holiday season,” says Destiny Delgadillo, Financial Aid Officer. “Students, staff and faculty brought in food items such as corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned yams and marshmallows.”

Nominations for those who might appreciate this holiday bounty came in from students, staff and faculty.  “Some students got to know each other and had gotten close in class,” says Destiny. “They got to know each others’ situations and that someone was having a hard time.”

Both those making nominations and recipients were anonymous. And, as it turned out, all six of those students nominated were given complete dinners the day before Thanksgiving. Another half-dozen students trickled in requesting consideration for those dinners that remained, and were happily included in the giveaway.

Each student chosen for the holiday box came to the campus conference room to pick up their generous gift of food. “They were excited; a few of them cried because they hadn’t known how they were going to get dinner for the next day,” says Destiny. “It was nice to know we were able to help out our students who may not have had any Thanksgiving dinner this year.”

There was enough left-over food to make a donation of 170 items to the local Madera Rescue Mission.

“I want to commend all the students, staff and faculty that were involved in this year’s successful fundraising effort,” says Ben Almaguer, Campus Director. “It is times like these that our character is tested and the SJVC team passed with flying colors.”

The evening Medical Assisting team won the food collection competition and will enjoy a celebratory pizza party.