By Ava Van’t Hof
Staff Writer
From donating toys to making a kids day, many Costa students are taking the opportunity to start their own club, Toys for Hope on campus that provides sick children with goodies and joy.
Toys 4 Hope, a Costa Club started by freshman Sophie Hefter and Lauren Goldston, donates gifts and spends time with sick children at Cedar’s Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills.
“We wanted a way to bring our friends and classmates together to give back to people like us, and a club is a great way for students to give back,” Hefter said.
Hefter and Goldston were inspired to start the club because of their love for children and spreading joy, and decided to pair with Cedar’s Sinai because Hefter’s grandfather is getting treated there.
“We thought of this idea about a month or two ago during school,” Goldston said. “We were just chatting about clubs and decided to start one and name it Toys 4 Hope because our main theme is bringing kids toys, and hope is just a broad word that describes a main fundamental of this club.”
So far, the club has about 12 members on the board, and about 25 kids attended their first meeting on Nov. 17 in Costa English teacher Mr. Chow’s room. Although there are about 35 students in the club, Hefter and Goldston hope that more people will attend their meetings and that their club will evolve throughout the years.
“This new club is a great way to engage students in something that can impact lives of children who aren’t as lucky as us,” Hefter said. “I feel that as long as we keep up the participation of students, this club can be a success.”
Toys 4 Hope has not planned an official visit to the hospital yet. At the next meeting on Tuesday Dec. 8, the members will discuss dates for possible toy drives and bake sales to raise toys and money for the children. The club will most likely plan a hospital visit around January.
“I am eager for our first visit to the hospital, and excited to make all of the kids day better,”
Topbas said. “I think this club will not only put a smile on a children’s faces because of a toy, but teach the members in it to appreciate everything we have, including good health.”
Club Owners, Hefter and Goldston, love working with children and want to help change their lives. By not only bringing them toys, but spending time with them in the hospital will make a kids day.
“My hope is that we can grow and expand our club and do a lot of good for the kids that we intend to help,” Goldston said. “I also believe that by not only collecting toys for the kids in the hospital but also visiting them will put a smile on these kids’ faces and our club members’ faces. I anticipate that an impact will be made on those we help and ourselves.”
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