It’s that special time of the year again; a time for giving and loving, especially to those less fortunate than ourselves. Over the past two months, CCA students collected small bottles of shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash, combs, socks, gloves, scarves, and anything else that might be useful during the colder months of the year. Continuing the tradition from last December, the CCA family determined to help the thousands of homeless spread across the Bay Area.

"In the Bay area, there are approximately 35,000 homeless people; in San Francisco, estimates put the number between 7,000-15,000, which is the highest per capita rate of homelessness in any major American city."

Once all the donations were collected, volunteers created an assembly line to organize the donated toiletry items into useful and meaningful packages for the homeless. Sorting through more than 3,000 items, the group put together 151 packages destined to be shared this holiday season. The packages were sent to the Bill Wilson Center, which provides services to more than 6,300 children, youth, young adults and families in Santa Clara county (see link below).

With such a great divide between the haves and the have-nots, it is important to help in any way we can. Working together, CCA families have changed the lives of many this holiday season. As Tony Johnston once wrote in her novel Any Small Goodness, “In life there is bueno and there is malo. If you do not find enough of the good, you must yourself create it.”

Thank you for your help, time, and love! You are the inspiration and change the world needs. For more information about the Bill Wilson Center, located in Santa Clara county, please click here.