Members of the Northwood High School swim team working with the Loaves and Fishes organization of Santa Ana served Thanksgiving meals to the community homeless and people in need. Back Row from left to right: Mack Nesbit, Coach Alex Nieto, Maria Dzida (Director, Loaves & Fishes), Conner Budka, and Noah Pendleton. Front Row from left to right: Zoe Baick, Kyle Pendleton, Hunter Hitchens, and Hayley Pham. Photos via Swim Team Staff.
“We make a Living by what we get, but we make Life by what we give." - Winston Churchill.
NHS Swim Team Community Service Flyer
The Northwood Timberwolves swim team led a group effort to spread Thanksgiving cheer this holiday season by serving meals to Orange County's homeless, working poor, unemployed, and other people in need as part of community service on Saturday, November 19, 2016.
Swim team volunteers assembled with the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen organization using the facilities of St. Joseph Church / School in Santa Ana to lend a helping hand. The Loaves and Fishes organization is an outreach program operating for nearly 30 years providing advocacy in fighting hunger and poverty in the Orange County area.
Northwood students immediately help set up tables, packaged food bags, sorted and distributed clothing, and assisted in serving meals to the homeless, residents, and families in need along with assisting in the cleanup. The event served (735) seven hundred thirty-five meals for the day.
To serve those families in the community who can't afford to purchase a traditional Thanksgiving meal, the Northwood students donated frozen turkeys, and graciously handed out gift cards from fast food restaurants to the homeless.
For several students the whole experience immersed them into the holiday feeling. As it is with most volunteer community service opportunities, it was extremely gratifying to watch the thrilled faces of those who received a warm meal, clothing, and fellowship. Everyone involved was extremely gracious and kind.
“It is good to give back to the community, after all the ways the community supports our team," Head Coach Alex Nieto.
The Northwood High School swim team staff and students would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Maria Dzida, Loaves & Fishes Director, and her wonderful team for their support and generosity.
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