On December 19th, over a hundred local volunteers came to Willow Spring Church in Moraga to wrap more than two thousand presents for homeless and needy children served by the Bay Area Rescue Mission. Volunteers came from Lafayette Girl Scout Troops 33846 and 31983 (who also raise money throughout the year to buy presents for this event), the Miramonte REACH group, the National Charity League, Stanley Middle School's Opportunity Knocks, Campolindo, Acalanes, and Miramonte HIgh School, Burton Valley School, and Willow Spring Blast Kid's Club. Other volunteers included families, individuals and church members who want to help the homeless and to model a giving spirit to their children. The teen worship band from Northcreek Church provided jazzy Christmas carols, and volunteers enjoyed hot cider, hot chocolate and pizza while they worked. Many volunteers return every year and make the wrapping party part of their Christmas tradition. The consensus of the volunteers was that they appreciated the opportunity to serve the homeless in a local setting and that helping other children enjoy the blessings of receiving Christmas presents was both meaningful and fun. As nine-year Kiana Lew stated, "I want to help other children who are without toys."
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA