Each year, CSO organizes the Holiday Drive to encourage students of different grade levels to bring in donations to various children’s charities. This year, the event will be held during the Holiday Program on the morning of Dec. 19.
But the holiday season isn’t just about gifts, and the CSO Holiday Drive isn’t simply a charitable event. Just as the holidays bring families and communities together, the Holiday Drive brings the GA community together in an atmosphere of generosity, consideration and fun.
In the past, the Holiday Program, a cross-divisional gathering to celebrate the drive, has consisted of musical performances, teacher videos and student presentations. One of the unique opportunities that the drive presents is for the senior leaders to introduce themselves and speak in front of their peers about the charities that are receiving the donations.
This year, the senior leaders plan to hold a sled racing competition during the Holiday Program, in which teachers across the three divisions will compete for the fastest time. They have also begun to arrange video segments that include interviews, favorite childhood holiday memories, and some other exciting surprises for the school to watch during the program.
Other key parts of the Holiday Program include the parade of presents and the beloved tradition embraced both by students and faculty: wearing festive attire and playing holiday music. The Holiday Drive is one of the few occasions throughout the year where the GA community across all divisions, including students of all ages, faculty, and staff, get a chance to celebrate together.
Although this year’s agenda and list of charities are not fully determined, there are some recurring charities that receive donations annually. These include Mitzvah Circle, Cradles to Crayons and Gemma Services. Last year specifically, GA also provided gifts and monetary donations to AURA (American Ukrainian Relief Association), Southwest Philadelphia Community Services, Whosoever Gospel Mission, Carson Valley Children’s Aid and Family Promise.
“We’d love for students to continue focusing on the organizations that CSO is currently working with, such as Face to Face and Gemma Services, to help get into the holiday spirit,” Lucy McFadden ‘24, one of the various CSO student leaders, said. “Once the Holiday Drive gets underway, it’d be great if everyone could contribute by bringing in gifts.”
CSO and the Holiday Drive spread the spirit of giving through example, and, in turn, promote acts of service throughout the GA community.
“It really is a wonderful program,” Grace Taylor ‘24, another CSO student leader, said. “The opportunity to gather as an entire community, honor our many holiday traditions, and help those most in need is the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving here at GA.”
“When the elves and everyone stack their presents up high at the end, you get to look around and see just how many donations there actually are,” McFadden said.