Gift of giving

SOUTHWEST ORANGE What started out as one family’s holiday tradition has turned into a school-wide project at Holy Family Catholic School in Southwest Orange County.

Before starting their holiday break, students created handmade Christmas cards to be delivered to residents at Brookdale Senior Living and inmates at a Florida correctional facility. It’s a tradition Tana Little, the school’s director marketing and promotion, started with her own family years ago.

“(We) made a special visit to my ailing aunt’s nursing home each year armed with Christmas presents,” she said. “We visited these seniors and spent time with them, sitting on the side of their beds, holding their hands and telling them they were loved and remembered. 

“My children, my husband and I were always so moved by their appreciation. They said over and over, ‘I can’t believe you are here. I thought everyone forgot about me!’ It was heartbreaking yet so rewarding to know we were making a small yet powerful impact on their lives — even for just a short time.” 

Although they didn’t know who exactly would receive their cards, the students worked hard to craft thoughtful, personal messages.

“I just pretend like I’m writing to one of my own friends,” said eighth-grader Riley Alexander.

Fellow eighth-grader Brad Hull said he enjoyed the opportunity to share some joy this season.

“It’s pretty cool to know they’ll be happy this Christmas — and they won’t even know who did it,” he said.

Following the card-creation process, Little and some students and their families went room to room Dec. 21 at Brookdale to deliver the cards.

“It’s truly remarkable seeing the children giving their time and their love to these forgotten seniors,” Little said. “At first, the students are timid and shy, a bit shocked at the sight of some of these poor folks. But quickly, as they see the light begin to ignite in the eyes of these people, the students warm up, hold their hands, read their words and the words of their peers and wish them a Merry Christmas. It’s quite incredible.”

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].