The 2021 CSO Holiday Program

This year the Holiday Drive, one of GA’s fondest celebrations, took a different direction due to Covid-19 guidelines.

The CSO Holiday Program is one of Germantown Academy’s most memorable traditions because of its outreach to various charities. All students and faculty of the GA community are encouraged to donate new and unwrapped gifts to their respective charities. This year, Lower School students and staff donated gifts to the Mitzvah Circle for children ranging in age from infants to 18-year-olds, and Middle School students and staff provided gifts to Cradles to Crayons for children ranging in age from infants to 12-years-olds. In the Upper School, seniors gave Target and Walmart gift cards to Southwest Philadelphia Community Services. Juniors donated to Afghan refugees at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and sophomores and freshmen donated to Gemma Services for children aged 8-18 years old. Upper School faculty get to choose which organization they would like to donate to. 

Germantown Academy has been working with these charities for many years, and they are excited to spread awareness for these organizations. Mr. Chubb, one of the co-directors of CSO, said that they “have been working with Gemma for many years” and are thrilled to continue their years-long relationship with them. He also mentioned that GA became aware of the Afghan refugees through a parent who reached out to GA. Zach Kotik ‘22, one of the senior CSO leaders, believes that the importance of the Holiday Drive is to “remind all GA students to appreciate being able to have a home for the holidays and to give back to those who aren’t as fortunate for this holiday season.” 

Zach, along with Angelina Sannicandro ‘22, Zoe Hersh ‘22, Dylan Jeck ‘22, Catherine Shuron ‘22, and Alaina Steck ‘22, spoke at the Holiday Program. The Holiday Program is a tradition where all GA students and staff gather to hear Head of School Mr. Schellhas and students talk about the charities. Because of COVID-19 restrictions this year, Zach explained that GA “can only have the Upper School [see the program live], and the program will only last about twenty minutes.” There was a “parade” in the Field House where each division of GA dropped off their gift, and then the Lower and Middle schools returned to their advisories to watch the program via a live stream. The Upper School gathered in the Field House to hear the speakers talk about the charities.

In previous years, the Holiday Drive was one of the celebrations where the entire student body would come together and celebrate the holidays together, while also listening to the charities speak about their organizations. CSO is hoping that next year all of GA can enjoy the Holiday Drive in the Field House as an entire school.