Rei Saeki
As the joys of the holiday season and the new year approaches, the expectations of the “perfect” holiday follows. However, this holiday season, Saint Maur focused on those who do not have access to the glamours of such events let alone their basic needs. In the month of December, two charities centered around the theme of spreading love and empathy successfully and raised awareness for their differing causes.
The annual Christmas Toy Drive is a tradition in St. Maur where the St. Maur community donates presents to the children in the local orphanage in Honmoku. Run by Rei and Yura (G12), this charity was supported by over 60 students and faculty combined through gifts or monetary donations. Given the budget, children created their own wishlists; however, the contents strayed far from toys or leisure goods. Over half of the wishlist was filled with basic stationary and school books. Yura (G12) reflected on the experience, stating: “I felt shocked how it was so different than what I would have asked for as a kid. This project wouldn’t hold any meaning without people to support it and I felt the good in people. The feelings I felt when I looked at all the wrapped presents still make me emotional.”
Christmas Toy Drive initiators
Another Charity is the Happy Bags Drive run by the Saint Maur Charity Community, an initiative to supply food and warm clothing to those in need in Kannai. Over 30 bags were delivered, and some Middle School and Elementary students decorated their bags with drawings and personalized message cards. The Charity Committee is still accepting donations and participation in delivering is open every Tuesday night.
Service Learning Club with their Happy Bags
Charity initiatives such as these aim to acknowledge the privileges of being able to supply basic needs, as well as showcasing how people’s small acts of kindness can bring about twice or triple the amount of happiness to someone else. Much appreciation for both the runners of respective charities and the St Maur Community for helping to spread Christmas Joy.
Service Learning Club packaging Happy Bags
Rei Saeki