Charter public schools in our state have a wonderful holiday tradition going on: giving back to the families and communities they serve.

For weeks now, CharterNation teamed up with local charities, volunteers, and leaders to provide meals and toys for those most in need, ensuring that the holiday season is a special one. It’s also warmly like last year, when the charter school community rolled up its sleeves to bring an abundance of cheer, generosity, and hope to students and families hit hard by the pandemic.

Here’s a quick recap of how charters are giving back during the 2021 holiday season:

During Thanksgiving, Aspire River Oaks Charter School was home to a ham giveaway in Stockton. With the help of Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua and his team, 600 families received a ham for the holiday.

Further South, San Diego-based KIPP Adelante partnered with their Assemblymember, Akilah Weber, and the San Diego Food Bank to give 500 families a full Thanksgiving meal.

In Chico, Inspire School of Arts and Sciences students worked with Santa, a jolly gingerbread man, and cheerful adult volunteers to hand out goody bags to drivers attending the local Santa Project Drive-Thru.

And in Los Angeles, Vaughn Century Learning Center and their VISA student elves turned their auditorium into Santa’s Workshop to wrap over 350 gifts for their Toys for Tots donations.

We applaud CharterNation for your big hearts and the desire to give back to those less fortunate. These efforts are a reminder of the charter school community’s compassionate character and the positive role these schools serve in their communities.

Is your local charter school giving back this holiday season? Let us know on social media by tagging @calcharters and using the #ChartersGiveBack hashtag. We want to highlight your school’s generosity!