By Natasha Randeniya
Executive News Editor and
Jenna Brodkin
Executive Arts Editor
Operation Happiness is a community event run by Mira Costa ASB during the Winter season. Costa students, staff, and anyone in the community can help out through multiple initiatives including offering hygiene products to Help the Homeless, canned food for Canned Food Drive, various toys Toys for Tots, gifts for Angel Tree Toys, and gifts for an entire family for Adopt-a-Family.
Help the Homeless
ASB collaborates with a program called Help the Homeless to provide donations. Homeroom classes, clubs and campus organizations provide items for homeless individuals in the Los Angeles area. Any Mustang can donate new socks, undershirts, blankets and other necessities.
“This is a really great way for students and faculty to get involved on campus,” senior ASB commissioner of community relations Kasey Kernochan said. “Costa usually provides 50 plus items for the homeless which is a huge help.”
According to Kernochan, once ASB collects all the donated items, they are then distributed to the areas in need throughout January, February and March.
“This makes a huge impact on so many families in need, especially around the holiday season,” junior ASB member Sophia Peña said. “It also makes an impact on all the ASB members. It makes me happy to know that we are able to make someone’s day, week, or year better.
Canned Food Drive
Every December, ASB Kicks off a tradition with their canned food drive. ASB makes boxes for every teacher to place in their classrooms, allowing the teachers to encourage their students to donate. According to senior ASB Vice President Henry Michael, exposure and getting the word out is the way they get the most donations.
“Having the teachers involved is really helpful,” Michael said. “Some teachers can receive hundreds of boxes which is incredible and helps the cause so much.”
According to Michael, after they receive the boxes from the teachers, classrooms and organizations on campus, they pack the cans into boxes and send them to the food bank from where they distributed from there. Costa collect’s thousands of cans every year according to Michael.
“This is a big deal for ASB because its a way to give back to our surrounding community,” Michael said. “The unity we create at our school by getting everyone involved is the reason Operation Happiness is so successful.”
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is an initiative in which Costa students and staff can bring joy to kids by donating. The program collects unwrapped toys and gives them to families in need. Each child in the family gets up to four wrapped toys. It’s part of a larger program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, with help from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The goal is to bring happiness to kids during the holiday season and help those who need it most.
At Costa, the school community works together to make Toys for Tots a success. People drop off toys that are then donated. These toys are sorted and sent to families.
“I love knowing that just a small toy can make such a big difference for a child,” said junior Chloe Persell. “It’s an easy way for all of us at Costa to spread some holiday cheer.”
Local businesses and community groups also help with the program. They provide places to collect toys, space to store them, and delivery help. As the program works with churches and social services it ensures the toys go to families who need them.
“These programs are a really cool way to not only give back, but feel like a bigger part of the community,” said Kernochan. “You’re working with those who you wouldn’t otherwise get to work with, and it’s fun to come together to help others.”
Angel Tree Toys
The Angel Tree program allows participants to choose a name from the Angel tree and purchase a gift specifically tailored to the child recipient’s needs or wishes.
The Salvation Army, the lead organization behind Angel Tree Toys, works with outside groups and organizations to collect as much donations as possible. For families unable to afford the expense of holiday gifts, this program offers relief.
“Being on ASB and participating in these drives has truly inspired me,” said junior club coordinator Hayden Pennino. “This past year we got so many donations and I can’t wait for all the families to receive their items.”
Adopt-a-Family
Adopt-a-Family is a Salvation Army program designed to help underprivileged families during the holiday season. Organized by ASB, it focuses on giving gifts to entire families, ensuring both parents and children feel special and cared for. Teachers, staff, National Honors Society, and Link Crew participate to make the holidays brighter who can’t afford gifts otherwise.
The main goal of Adopt-a-Family is to encourage everyone on campus to join in and help others. ASB hopes their Operation Happiness drives each December will bring comfort to those who receive the gifts.
“Being able to give back to families who are less fortunate means a lot to me,” said senior Talia Ehrlich. “I look forward to supporting people anytime I can and it is especially meaningful that I am able to get involved through my own school.”
Adopt-a-Family is a very impactive organization that is always open to as many donors as they can get. Families are able to feel loved during the winter season as communities work together.
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