West San Jose Resident

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Teen's project helps children over holidays

By Tiffany Carney

After taking a service-learning elective course at Discovery Charter School, seventh-grader Marilyn Fairchild, 13, decided to continue her community service outside the classroom.

Thinking about children not as fortunate as she is, she decided to create a project to comfort children who were away from their families during the holidays.

She discussed her idea with her teacher, Nancy Stanaway, who then put her in touch with the Children's Shelter of Santa Clara County.

She decided to gather gifts for those children. "We put together stockings and a party basket for them so they could have their own party and they could have stockings for Christmas," Marilyn said.

Over a three-week period she got her whole school involved by coordinating donations of disposable cameras, photo albums, stuffed animals, games and gift cards.

"I got a lot of people to help, and it was great because everybody kind of came together," she said.

Her class also helped wrap gifts and customize a large party basket complete with popcorn, movies and hot chocolate.

After every present was wrapped and every bow was in place, Marilyn brought the special gifts to the children's shelter herself. She said it was a great experience where see could actually see the smiles she put on the children's faces.

Although Marilyn said planning the project from start to finish was a bit stressful, overall she loved helping the community.

"In the end, it was all worth it," she said.