Education

KITS FOR KINDNESS

JSerra students provide aid to fire victims

By Nikki Nguyen     1/18/2018

Kits for Kindness, a not-for-profit organization run by JSerra Catholic High School freshmen Hannah Ortiz and Katherine Giddings, brought meals and hygiene kits to Bangor, CA families that were victims of the fire that swept through the Northern California town in October.

The students raised $4,000 and gave turkeys, stuffing, and cranberries to 75 families, and provided Christmas gifts for the children. Families also received kits that included essentials such as lotion, toothpaste and soap.

Ortiz learned about the need in Bangor from her grandfather, who teaches golf lessons at schools through The First Tee program, and she wanted to help — especially after hearing about the area’s high poverty rate.

“Wherever needs help, we go,” Ortiz said.

The Bangor Union Elementary School District also received a donation of school supplies from Kits for Kindness some weeks ago.

Ortiz, who serves as president, took over the reins of the nonprofit a year ago when her cousin and JSerra alumna Madeline Hall (‘15), graduated and left for college. Giddings serves as vice president.