Molly Shore
Camila Bastidas is busy wrap- ping gifts for Christmas.
These gifts, however, are not for her family or friends. Instead,
they are for people who might not receive any gifts were it not for
the goodwill of Bastidas and other Burbank High School students,
teachers and parents.
Bastidas, 18, vice president of the school's service club, Helping
Other People Eat, gets personal satisfaction from contributing to the
well-being of local needy families.
"It feels good to help others and know that you're doing something
good for the holidays," Bastidas said.
The high school senior is one of 140 members of the club.
Throughout the school year, the group holds food and clothing drives
to benefit the needy.
"We have the Warm and Fuzzy Drive, providing families with
blankets and warming clothing, mostly donated by students, faculty
and Burbank High families," Bastidas said.
In the spring, club members prepare Easter baskets with eggs and
candy especially for families with children, Bastidas said.
For Christmas, club members are giving 60 families two to four
boxes of food, including fruits, vegetables and dry goods, Bastidas
said. In addition to the food, each family member will receive
clothing, as well as books and toys for the children.
Bastidas said they will also provide families with gift
certificates for places like K-Mart and Toys 'R' Us.
Faculty advisor Christina Fahad said this year, for the first
time, the club assigned specific holiday donation requests to various
departments at school. The English department contributed dry goods
and gift items for young people; the social science department gave
canned vegetables and gifts suitable for teen boys; and the art
department gave gift wrap- ping, bows and tags, she said.
