Gilbert Public Schools and local community groups come together to support families in need
The holiday season was much brighter for some of our Gilbert Public Schools families thanks to the generosity of our community. We are highlighting several service projects and donation drives that helped provide gifts for those in need. You truly represent what it means to be part of the GPS family. We thank you for your incredible kindness and support during this time of year!
Dude Be Nice Club at Mesquite High School
The Dude Be Nice Club at Mesquite High School works to create a positive campus atmosphere through school-wide initiatives and activities. This holiday season, Club President LaNay Brown and members held a holiday drive for hygiene products. They assembled the travel sized donations into gift bags for students in need. All of the items were given to the Gilbert Public Schools Family Resource Center.
Assistance League of East Valley
Several donations to our Gilbert Public Schools Family Resource Center were provided this holiday season by the Assistance League of East Valley to help support the youth in our community who are experiencing homelessness. Through the non-profit organization’s programs and volunteers, the Assistance League of East Valley is able to provide youth on their own with basic necessities like clothing, food, personal hygiene items as well as gift cards, holiday meals, and more. Volunteers delivered the donations right before Winter Break. The organization has been serving the East Valley for 25 years and fulfilling its mission to transform the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Gilbert Police Department’s Blue Line of Love Holiday Drive
We are so grateful for our first responders! The Gilbert Police Department helped GPS students and families this holiday season through the Blue Line of Love Holiday Drive. The annual drive supported 76 families this year for a total of 300 individuals. With the support of local businesses and generous community members, Gilbert Police were able to provide these families with toys, gift cards, personal care items, and wrapping supplies.
Gilbert Public Schools’ Youth on Their Own Virtual Giving Tree
This holiday season, Gilbert Public Schools employees helped spread some joy by participating in the Virtual Giving Tree. The holiday drive supports GPS students who are unaccompanied youth or experiencing homelessness. Each student was assigned a number on the Virtual Tree to help keep their identities anonymous. Employees picked a number from the tree and purchased gifts for the students. There were gifts for all ages from four to 18 years old. Items included clothing, gift cards, dolls, art supplies, Legos, and more.
Adopt-A-Family Community Service Project at Campo Verde High School
For the past 13 years, Nick Cornell and the Campo Verde High School Physical Education Department have been organizing this wonderful community service project. They collect anonymous wish lists every year from our families in need at GPS elementary, junior high, and high schools. Members of the Campo Verde High School community adopt individuals or an entire family providing them with items from their wish lists. The donations are brought to Campo Verde on the first Friday in December. School counselors and social workers distribute the gift bags to the families right before the holidays. Every family that submits a wish list also receives a $50 Fry’s gift card that can be used to purchase a holiday meal. The Adopt-A-Family Community Service Project has been extremely successful over the years helping anywhere from 60 to 200 families a holiday season. Campo Verde students, teachers, coaches, clubs, and families have thoroughly enjoyed serving our GPS families in need.
Trilogy Angel Tree Project
The Trilogy Angel Tree project is an annual initiative supported by the residents of the Trilogy at Power Ranch community. Each year, residents grant holiday wishes for 125 Gilbert Public Schools students. The project was initially started by the community’s Creative Designers Club under the leadership of Barbara Jester. It is now run by Trilogy staff members Terri Hagan and Robin Crawford. Residents in the community provide toys or crafts, a clothing item, and a sweet note for each student. GPS families and social workers pick up the items before the holidays. The annual event is a highlight for Trilogy residents and GPS every year.
We would also like to thank the American Legion Post 39 for their donations to GPS students and families!