Wrapping up the Adopt-a-family program

CPS Students are busy preparing for their most satisfying time of the holidays, their adopt-a-family program. Each class and the faculty is assigned 2-3 local families in need and asked to collect donations of clothing, toys, toiletries and money for 'their' family.

Students prepare gift packages for the Adopt-a-family program

As Cynthia Geddes, CPS Director of Community Service says "This is an incredible way for the students to give back to the community. They take such pride in gathering donations and raising money for these families. It is especially personal since they receive a wishlist from the families. The students jump into action to fulfill these specific needs." The 11 families that CPS will help this year are from the Oakland/Berkeley community and range from single-parent families to families with five children; some live in residential hotels, others suffer from recent losses or are victims of crimes, " Ms. Geddes states.

December 13th is a big day on the CPS campus. Students come together after tireless gathering of donations and shopping to sort, package, box, and wrap the gifts to prepare them for drop-off the next day.