Holiday spirit inspires NPHS clubs to give back
Bells are jingling, lights are twinkling and wrapping paper is crinkling: it is the season of giving. After a weekend of shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, presents are starting to be wrapped and readied for the upcoming holidays. People begin a period of reflection, gratitude and connection with loved ones as the year comes to a close. With these warm feelings comes the urge to display that appreciation, often through giving back. Whether it is a friend, a family member or a charity on the receiving end, the act of giving is part of the holiday spirit that makes the season special. NPHS students partake in this tradition, giving back to the local neighborhoods through clubs on campus such as the Make a Wish, Interact and Psychology clubs. Over the last couple of weeks, these clubs have held several events demonstrating their support for their community.
Up to Dec. 15, the Psychology Club collected toy donations for Marine Miguel’s sixteenth Annual Toy Drive. Aiming to educate students about psychology and give back to the community with service projects, Vice President of Activities Rayna Doshi, junior, and President Eliana Dorsi, junior, selected this charity because of its mission to provide local children with holiday presents. “[Volunteering] impacts me in a positive way [and I] get joy from doing it,” Doshi said.
On Friday, Dec. 6, members of Make a Wish Club met at lunch to write and decorate holiday cards for children at the LA Children’s Hospital. Yushan Yan, senior and president of Make a Wish Club, has continued the long-held tradition that has existed since the creation of the club. “I think donating money is very important, but to be able to draw a cute card and write a heartfelt message, it feels like I’m more directly [connecting with patients ] and just giving them a bit of joy during the holiday season,” Yan said.
The evening of Dec. 6, Interact Club gathered at Dos Vientos Community Park, beginning their annual event, “Caroling for Cans.” The group of carolers went from house to house singing classic holiday tunes such as “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” while explaining the club’s purpose. Director of Outreach, Aleesa Iqbal, senior, has been participating in the event for three years and feels that she has been able to make an impact in her time as a member of the club. “Money is really scarce, right? So for people that maybe don’t have that, who maybe are unemployed, or maybe just don’t have enough money around the holidays, it’s really important for us to feel like we can give back,” Iqbal said.
In return for their performances, Interact Club asked for non-perishables that could then be donated to Manna Food Bank, hence the name of the event, “Caroling for Cans.” For many of the organizers, the carolers and the people who open their doors, “Caroling for Cans” is not only an annual event they look forward to, but one of their favorite ways to volunteer during the holidays. “You get to do things [with your friends] and it’s nice to feel like you make an impact. It’s definitely something I’m going to miss when I graduate,” Iqbal said.
As the night went on, the number of cans Interact Club was able to collect increased from zero, to 20, to 40. Chloe Um, the club’s treasurer and a senior, has noticed that, like the number of cans on the night of the event, the club has grown in numbers and impact since it began at NPHS. “It’s been great to see how the people we go up to at the doors have asked questions about our causes, but also knowing that each year we grow, we’re able to make more [donations],” Um said.
The holiday season sparks feelings of generosity and nostalgia in so many of us. Clubs at NPHS have found ways to harness this feeling into a source for good this year, giving back to the community. “Caroling for Cans,” the Psychology Club toy drive, and Make a Wish Club’s holiday cards for the children’s hospital all encompass the holiday spirit of spreading joy to the lives of others.
