By Seth I. Pickens
Executive Features Editor
On Nov. 7, ASB opened applications for Operation Happiness, an annual school-wide charity. Each year clubs, classes, and other school organizations are given the opportunity to participate in giving back to one of five charities.
The five charities are, Adopt-a-Family, where different supplies and gifts are given to a specific family; Angel Tree and Toys for Kids, where young children receive gifts; Help the Homeless, where supplies are donated to homeless shelters; and the Canned Food Drive, which provides canned food for those in need around the South Bay.
“The idea is that between the time of holidays we should do good deeds,” Costa Activities Director Lisa Claypoole said. “As a school, we want to give every school and club a way to participate.”
Because ASB is the driving force behind Operation Happiness, they have been working overtime in order to make sure that the event runs smoothly. Commissioner of Public Relations, Charli Stanton has helped lead the efforts.
“ASB has been working hard for the past few weeks,” Stanton said. “My role in Operation Happiness is to organize and lead the events along with my peers in ASB, including Mia Langstein, Kasey Kernochan, and Bryce Kessler.”
According to Stanton, she worked hard to gain her position in ASB. The experience of working with Adopt-A-Family in middle school inspired her to participate in Operation Happiness in high school.
“Seeing the smiles of the recipients made me realize how rewarding the experience was for me,” Stanton said. “[When] I got into high school, my desire to help others grew more focused. [Now], I am able to once again participate in the Richstone Adopt-A-Family Gift Drive, and all of the other amazing Operation Happiness events.”
Even though Stanton and the other students in ASB have been dedicated to making Operation Happiness great, according to Claypoole, this year there has been a noticeable decrease in participation school-wide.
“The number one issue I’m having is that not as many people are participating as in the past,” Claypoole said. “That being said, we’ve still been able to pull though, because the people who are participating are doing great. One of the classrooms doing Adopt-A-Family just bought their family a coffee pot, a microwave, and even some action figures for the kids.”
In addition to classrooms, clubs have been diligent in their efforts. According to Latino Scholars Union President(LSU), Veronica Fish, working on Operation Happiness has been a rewarding experience, and she hopes that LSU participates next year and beyond.
“We started participating in Adpot-A-Family to carry on the LSU tradition of sponsoring a Latino Family’s Christmas,” said Fish. “It’s a great way to bring the magic of the holidays to less fortunate families.”
ASB is already working on ways to improve Operation Happiness next year. According to Claypoole, she believes that bettering communication with teachers, among other things, will facilitate a larger turn out next year.
“One of the things that I did this year was give out the sign out form before Thanksgiving Break,” Claypoole said. “It was nice to have everything planned out earlier, but I think that may have been too early, so in the future I’ll open sign ups before Thanksgiving and remind teachers after break, before submissions close.”
Now that Operation Happiness is coming to a close, according to Claypoole, even though it can be a stressful part of the year, she still loves running it.
“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” Claypoole said. “I love that we get to provide Christmas for eight families this year and to give gifts to kids who aren’t as well off. Being able to make them happy is priceless, and it’s one of the most rewarding things I do as part of my job.”
Leave a Reply