The holidays will be a little brighter for a many underprivileged local families, thanks to the lower school’s annual toy drive. A grade 4 community service project, the effort began on Dec. 7 and ended on Dec.17. This year’s donations, totaling over 400 items, will be going to St. Justin’s Community Ministry and Sacred Heart Community Services.

“St. Justin’s Community Ministry is currently serving thousands of families and individuals each month at its location in Santa Clara, providing food, clothing and the basic essentials families need to survive. Each Christmas season, St. Justin’s, in conjunction with Sacred Heart Community Services, provides deserving families the opportunity to ‘shop’ and select the perfect toys for their children and family,” explained Ken Allen, lower school dean of students.

A group of students assisted Harker faculty in the counting and loading of the toys, as well as with their ultimate delivery to St. Justin’s. There they had the unique opportunity to meet with the director of the outreach program.

Although the effort was primarily a fourth grade service project, all lower school families were invited to participate. Children were asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to school, which were then deposited inside the fence located in the gymnasium lobby until they were delivered.

“We are grateful for your continued and generous support of the service projects on our campus!” said Allen in a letter to lower school parents thanking them for their donations.