#1: Project 4: Holiday Giving in Action (Holiday Art & Packing Party) – Thank You!

Project 4 was a wonderful success thanks to the many scholars and families who showed up ready to serve, stayed focused, and truly embodied the spirit of giving. With so many families in our community facing challenges right now, our top priority was ensuring that our donations were organized and ready for Cedar Hill Shares to distribute during the December holiday season — and because of the teamwork of those who leaned in, we accomplished exactly that.

A special thank-you to everyone who stayed positive, followed instructions, and contributed meaningfully to sorting items, organizing donations, and adding festive finishing touches to the Holiday Letters created by Prep’s AVID classes. Your commitment made a real impact, and these donations will absolutely help brighten someone’s holiday season. Our food donations were picked up from the school this morning by Cedar Hill Shares.

I’m currently gathering Plummer Elementary’s totals so we can share a full combined impact snapshot. More to come!

In the meantime, please access the Project Hub to complete the following: 

1. Please upload any photos to our Project Photo Album.  

2. Have your scholar complete the short Reflection Activity by Monday, 11/24.

Finally, Service Hour updates will be coming soon. And for this project, all scholars who attended will receive credit — even if they were unable to stay the full time — as we want to keep the focus on learning, community, and the heart behind the work.

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#2: Upcoming Signature Projects. Project Overviews (not registration) will be posted on the Project Hub by Monday 11/24.

Save the Date! We will have 2 opportunities to visit our Grandfriends in December. Our Fair Access to Grandfriends policy will be applied, so those who attended the Fall Blessings Visit will only be given the opportunity to register after the priority period for those who have not yet visited our Grandfriends. Eligible registrants may register for ONLY ONE of the projects below. Once registration opens, PLEASE only sign up if you are fully confident that you (a) can attend and (b) can attend for the full duration of the project. As a reiteration, every participating Changemaker MUST be accompanied by a VOLY approved parent/guardian for the entire length of the project.

Opportunity 1: Crestview Court. Sat, Dec 6th; 1:30pm - 3:30pm (2 Service Hours). We will deliver the winter accessories we collected, pass out decorated holiday cards, and play Bingo with our Grandfriends. We are providing the Bingo game and a few prizes to make the day extra special. Registration will open on Fri, 11/28 at 12pm.  AT THE REQUEST OF THE FACILITY, spots will be limited to 12 families. To honor their space, safety, and resident comfort, each adult may only register the Changemakers who are their own children, and each adult will be counted as one family unit. 

OR

Opportunity 2: Morada Senior Living - Crescent Point (2-3 Service Hours).  For this project, a small group of Changemakers will form a Holiday Choir to bring musical cheer to our new Grandfriends at Crescent Point, located just across the street from Crestview Court. Our Changemakers will deliver some of the holiday cards they decorated, share small treat bags, and sing a few familiar holiday favorites. Participating scholars will be invited—not required—to donate a small bag of holiday candy or treats for the treat bags. Changemakers in the choir will also need to attend one 45-minute after-school rehearsal and practice their songs independently before the visit. Registration will open on Friday, 11/28 at 12pm.  This opportunity will be limited to 20 Changemakers, where each registered scholar counts toward the total.

Key Dates
• Choir Practice: Thursday, December 4th | 4:15–5:00pm | School Library (pending approval) No snack will be provided. — 1 Service Hour
• Grandfriends Visit: Saturday, December 13th | 12:30pm–2:00pm — 2 Service Hours

A Special Shout-Out & Thank You
A huge thank-you to Alesia Montgomery, who identified opportunity #2 above, leveraged her personal connection with the facility, gathered the details, and brought forward a fully developed recommendation. Her initiative truly expanded what we’re able to offer our Changemakers this season. Thank you, Alesia, for setting the bar and turning your passion into action. 

Whew! Ok - this is a lot of info - I get it. If after reading this you still have questions - please email me directly: communitysupport@chcppta.org.