Alverno Heights Academy Adopts Families Through Children’s Law Center of California for Christmas

For three families in foster care through the Children’s Law Center of California, Christmas just got a little bit more merry thanks to the students, families, and faculty and staff of Alverno Heights Academy.

Over the past few weeks, the Alverno community has been working to gather items off the wish lists of twelve children currently in foster care in the Los Angeles area. The children ranged from a few months old up to 12 years old and had wishes that included toys, jackets, uniform clothes, school supplies, books, backpacks, bikes, and much more.

The drive was organized by Campus Ministry for the second year in a row and required a great deal of planning and organization. Before the drive even started, Campus Ministry reviewed the children’s wish lists, checking them twice, before assigning them to each state.

Once families were assigned to each state, students then signed up to bring in the various items to their state meetings with the faculty and staff jumping in to help purchase two bicycles for ten and twelve year old sisters. After everything was collected, Campus Ministry wrapped and divided all of the gifts by family so they would be ready for distribution by some of Santa’s special helpers who picked up the items on Thursday, December 15. The donated gifts will be distributed to these children in the days leading up to Christmas Day.

“I am so incredibly proud of the entire Alverno Heights Academy community for coming together to support these wonderful families every year,” said Julia V. Fanara, Head of School. “One of the things we impart to our young women is the incredible and lasting impact that their generosity, compassion, and gifts can make in the lives of others and the world as a whole and this project is a demonstration of those values. For our students to come together during this blessed holiday season to support others is a beautiful thing and a true representation of the meaning of Christmas.”

About Alverno Heights Academy

Alverno Heights Academy is an all-girls, independent, progressive Catholic, college preparatory school dedicated to its mission of empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be. Located on the property of the former Barlow Estate in Sierra Madre, California, Alverno Heights Academy was founded in 1960 by the Sisters of St. Francis who sought to create an environment in the San Gabriel Valley where young women could become informed and knowledgeable persons. Later renamed Alverno High School and sponsored by the Immaculate Heart Community, Alverno’s program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical—has been shaped by the staff, trustees, and students. As Alverno Heights Academy once again, the school remains committed to its mission by encouraging each of their young women to be who they imagine. For more information about Alverno Heights Academy, please visit www.alvernoheightsacademy.org.