A Holiday Surprise for Riley College Prep Academy

Christmas came early for students at Riley College Prep Academy in San Bernardino. On Dec. 17, the last day of school, over 650 students had the opportunity to receive a present from the school and see Santa Claus. It was the first time the school had a held a toy drive for all the students. “We wanted every student to get a gift,” said Chris Penny-Hill, a fifth grade teacher and instructional liaison for before and after school programs, who coordinated the event. According to Penny-Hill the school had begun the tradition after seeing a need for it in their student body. “Many of our children don’t receive a lot for the holidays. In the past we would have teachers nominate students from their classes who they felt were in the most need.” The tradition has lasted 15 years and in the past took 50 students shopping each year. This year the school wanted to try something different. “We decided this year to have a grand plan and attempt to get every child a gift for the holidays,” Penny-Hill said. To make the gift donations possible the school reached out to several sources. Coldwell Banker, Kivett Teeters Realty, Jackie Johnson, and others donated money for gifts to be purchased. Cindy Cilburn of Angel View Resale store donated 100 teddy bears. Other toys the students were able to choose from included Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls, Monster High dolls, origami supplies, basketballs, and dodge balls. “This event really gave students an opportunity to receive something they may not have otherwise,” said Noemi Valenzuela, who has not only worked at Riley Prep Academy in the Creative Before and After School programs for Success (CAPS) program and noon duty, she was also former student. “I enjoyed seeing the joy in every child's face as they received their gift.” Planning for the toy drive began in October and came together through the work of Penny-Hill, Valenzuela, Principal Jamie Esteves, and the Riley College Prep Academy team. For Penny-Hill the gift donation held a special place in her heart. “I am doing this for my mother. She grew up in WWII Germany and didn’t have anything. She lost everything in the war. She could relate to the students we work with, because she was non-English speaking and lived in poverty. She was always proud of what we did for the students.” The school plans to continue this as a new tradition for the next year and possibly expand to involve the high school Service clubs. For Penny-Hill the toy drive also served as a lesson to the students as some shopped for family. “Give them the joy of giving to others,” Penny-Hill said.