HOTLB: Seniors share giving traditions

Throughout the holidays, families and various religions come together and organize events to provide for their community. From food drives for the homeless, to donations for people in need or gift giving to the less fortunate, each student strives to spread kindness and warmth. Seniors recognized for their selflessness and empathy were asked to share how they pay their gratitude forward during the winter season.

“Every year, my temple does a sandwich-making drive around Thanksgiving, so my family goes there and we pack lunches and make sandwiches that are dropped off at homeless shelters. My dance studio does Meals on Wheels every year with the West Side Food Bank,” - Zoe Dale (’26)

“I’m a youth ambassador for the Kimberly Moore Foundation. So what I do is I go around my community, like Los Angeles, where the underprivileged families are. And I directly help the Director of the Foundation, Kimberly Moore, deliver Christmas gifts or furniture to families,” -Khaelan Zeitlan (’26)

“One thing that my family does specifically is giving Tuesdays during the holidays. It’s the day where nonprofits essentially ask for donations. I also like getting involved myself. Two years ago, I did a little cookie decorating stand during the Montana walk for my club Reflect Empathy and we baked a bunch of sugar cookies and charged people to decorate them with things like frosting and sprinkles. We raised funds for art kits (with paints/crayons/pens) for the boys and girls clubs, as part of Reflect Empathy’s partnership with them,” -Shayl Khatod (’26)

“I go to Skid Row with my mommy, and we do community events for this place called LA Can, and it’s really fun. One time we did a Christmas women’s wellness. It was a women’s only event and we gave them food, and then they had a hair session. I talked to the people a lot about life, and the journey in life and how the way they spend their holidays is a lot different from how I spend my holidays. So it was eye-opening,” - Solonia Allen (’26)