Dear CAISL Community,
For most Americans, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one frantic rush to finish eating left-over turkey, to brave the shopping crowds in search of seasonal gifts, and to prepare yet more parties and feasts and organize a variety of celebrations. Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza are all celebrated during this period. Other religions have holy days at other times of the year. Whatever your beliefs, there is one common thread among all of the tradition—giving. We give gifts to family and friends and we help others less fortunate.
In this season when we are reminded of the importance of giving, all too often we ask children what they want. I propose that a better question is what they want TO GIVE. Take the focus off of selfishness and put it on selflessness.
We all want things and surely one of the joys of parents and other caring adults is watching children joyfully open presents which we have chosen with love. But how much more joy it would be to watch the child choose with love and care to give to others.
At CAISL, we give to those less fortunate all through the year but in this season particularly we are reminded of how important it is for us as a community to do so and how important it is to instill the “spirit of giving” into the students.
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| Box for Toys for Tots in front of the Main Library |
Let me call your attention to the following giving opportunities:
Toys for Tots:
The Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and the High School Community Service Club are collecting “Toys for Tots.” (Tot is a nickname in the USA for child).
Toys for Tots is an annual campaign by US Marines, conducted in both the USA and around the world (http://www.toysfortots.org/).
Please bring a new toy which will then be wrapped and distributed to local orphanages. Collection boxes are in both the Secondary and Elementary atria and in front of the main library.
What a good way of teaching your child about those less fortunate—having him or her choose the toy and bring it to the collection box.
Make a Wish Foundation (http://makeawish.pt/ ):
“We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.” (http://worldwish.org/en/ )
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| Make-a-Wish Stars and raffle prizes, along with some of the children's handcrafted Holiday Cards. |
The Elementary and Middle School students focus on raising money to support the Portuguese branch of the “Make a Wish Foundation.”
Make-a-Wish stars for Christmas tree ornaments will be sold at the Winter Concert. The Elementary students are also handcrafting Christmas cards and will be holding a raffle. Kindergarten is planning a cupcake sale. The Middle School is donating a portion of their Holiday Dance ticket sales and organizing additional fund-raisers.
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| One of the groups that worked during the weekend for Banco Alimentar. |
Over the December 1 & 2 weekend, CAISL teachers and High School students gave of their time to participate in the food collection drive which occurs all over Portugal on two weekend of the year. Banco Alimentar is an effort which unites people from all over Portugal in an activity which provides basic foods to those less fortunate.
