Cub Scouts play ‘Santa’ for 30 families in need
Morgan Hill – A Christmas tree is one of the most popular traditions this time of year – but for a number of low-income families, it’s the last thing on their shopping lists.
Wanting to bring a little holiday cheer to families at Sobrato Transitional Apartments in Gilroy, local Cub Scouts have raised $520 to buy 18 trees they will deliver Saturday to the needy residents.
But 30 families need trees, and scouts are trying to raise $250 for the 12 additional trees, which cost $21 each at Battaglia Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in San Martin. The tree farm is helping out with a discount.
The scouts are also seeking new and used ornaments, including lights valued at about $21 per tree.
Parents say the project is about expanding awareness of needs in the community – and also celebrating the holiday spirit.
“Our pack has done this for the last three or four years,” said Morgan Hill resident Keri Olson, whose 10-year-old son is in the Webelos den. “We take the boys out to the Christmas tree lot and cut how ever many we can cut.”
Engineer John Brice, cub master for pack 780, said the boys would dip into their camp-trip savings from selling popcorn at local businesses if they needed to.
“One way or another, we’ll make it happen,” Brice said.
Aida Zaldivar, director of Neighborhood Development for South County Housing, the nonprofit developer that built the Sobrato apartments in north Gilroy, said the scouts are helping families with children who have little or no means to buy holiday decorations.
“This is a generous donation, especially this time of year,” Zaldivar said.
Many of the families at the 60-unit Sobrato apartments, which opened earlier this year, arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs.Â
They have the challenge of finding furniture for their homes and extra clothes for their children and for themselves so they can get back to work.Â
At the beginning of this school year, the complex’s managers helped by donating backpacks and lunch pails to children.
The apartments’ case managers help families who are at risk of becoming homeless by providing avenues to job training and counseling.
“What makes transitional housing successful is the affordability coupled with in-depth case management,” Zaldivar said. “It’s a second chance to put structure in their lives … an opportunity to support themselves and their families.”
Zaldivar said volunteers and donations are welcomed, and readers can learn more ways to help the families at the Sobrato apartments by calling (408) 848-6400.
Readers can donate to the Cub Scouts by calling John Brice at 779-9253.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tb*******@mo*************.com.
