Center Middle School and High School staff deliver donations to a family in Center. Former Center teacher Shirley Atencio suggested over nine years ago that instead of spending money on Christmas gifts for school staff that staff members choose a family and donate the funds instead.

CENTER— Center Schools’ administration, staff and students continue to give to the community they serve with the true spirit of the season that reaches into the hearts of families who might not have been able to enjoy Christmas without their help.
The Sharing Christmas Project distributed 37 Christmas food baskets with a turkey and food weighing about 40 pounds to 37 families. This took hundreds of hours of planning and delivery so “thank yous” are in order.
Those thank yous go out to Biel Crop Consulting, Del Norte Bank and Federated Women’s Town and Country Club, also a private donor for their generous monetary donations. An extra-special thank you goes out to Dollar General manager, Alvaro Bermudez Cardoza and K & J Thriftway co-owner, Tim Kaiser, for all of their donations, organizational help and contributions.
Turkeys were donated by Linda Warsh, director of Saguache County Social Services, with the aid of Care and Share Colorado. Dennis Schoenfelder and the graphics class made the thank-you banners. The Center custodial and cafeteria staff saved over a hundred boxes. A total of 100 toys also were purchased with money donated for the distribution.
Thanks to the generosity of the Center administration, middle school/high school and office staff, also the middle school staff, hundreds of food items were provided for the food drive. Esme Guzman, Adele Alfson and Alexa Molinar-Almeida helped with the toy purchase trip. The CHS Key Club, seniors, students, a substitute teacher and Kindra Rounds wrapped the papers and labeled them for delivery.
On delivery day the adults of Center Schools including Marisol, Brisa, Ofelia, Itzel, Dennis and Melanie were organized by Othon and Guadalupe, the school’s family liaisons. Final presents, calls and details were managed by Rosa, Debra, Perfecta, Lu, Carrie, Brittney, Leila, Wendy, and Maria. Countless others helped and know who they are. Without their help, this project would not have occurred, so thank you!

Susan Banning is one of the project coordinators for Sharing Christmas.