18
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
May 23, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Children Giving to Children - An Impactful Connection for Saint Joseph of Cupertino School
It started as a simple Advent Reach
Out Project. Saint Joseph of Cupertino
School (SJC) was looking for a recipient
to spread some holiday cheer.
“We wanted something local…
something in our backyard” said
Religious Activities Coordinator, Ve-
ronica Hernandez. What they found
was Kinship, Adoptive and Foster Par-
ent Association (KAFPA), a non-profit
organization that provides resources
for foster and adoptive families in Santa
Clara County.
Advent Reach Out donations were
stocking stuffer gifts that would bright-
en a foster child’s day. Items requested
included: coloring books, crayons, socks,
puzzles, writing supplies, scarves,
gloves, journals, socks, lotions, travel-
size games, nail polish, even low de-
nomination gift cards for Target or fast
food. The result was astounding. Over
900 items were collected and $500 in gift
KAFPA representatives and SJC students about to load up the Lenten donations.
cards were donated.
Denise Marchu, executive director at
KAFPA, was so grateful of the impres-
sive support. KAFPA normally receives
corporate donations, and was impressed
by the level of support by an elemen-
tary school. The number of donations
indicated the students connected with
helping children in need, motivating
them to give more, so it made sense to
select KAFPA for the Lenten Reach Out
program. This time helping children
in need meant donations of diapers,
pillows, stuffed animals, teen clothes,
socks, underwear, toiletries, and chil-
dren’s books.
During the six weeks of Lent, there
were weekly Monday mornings dedi-
cated to prayer for foster children and
discussions that when you reach out
to others, you can give to those less
fortunate. Students were encouraged to
do extra chores, use money from th