This holiday season, Viewpoint’s Middle School Student Council led a fundraiser, with the help of Viewpoint parent Heather Holmes, to provide gift cards for children in need through Casa Pacifica’s Holiday Giving Program.

Beginning December 1, students received a “dove” in their homeroom classes representing a child’s holiday gift card wish. Families were invited to donate gift cards to help provide necessities and special gifts for children who may not have the privilege of gathering with family or receiving presents during the holidays.

Gift cards were returned to homeroom teachers, and students placed their doves on the Middle School Giving Tree from December 2-12.

“One of our seventh grade senators introduced this fundraiser to the Student Council with the goal of giving middle school students the chance to help grant wishes to children and teens in need,” said Patrick Marquez, Middle School Dean of Students. “The Middle School Student Council played a key role in shaping how the fundraiser would look on campus by organizing its launch through posters and flyers and encouraging students to get involved.”

“This project felt like a meaningful way for the Student Council to give back during the holiday season because it was kids helping kids,” said Olivia Holmes '31, Middle School Student Council representative. “We’re fortunate to be part of a community that wants to help others, and this initiative showed how small acts, when multiplied by many, can make a huge impact.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Viewpoint community, the initiative raised $10,000 to support children and families served by Casa Pacifica.