Last week, Drug-Free Youth in Santa Clarita Valley participated in the Michael Hoefflin Toy Drive to help children with cancer this holiday season. 

   Many students brought their donations to the school for donation in room 503. Students brought a new, unwrapped toy to earn 1 NHS service hour, with a limit of 2 toys, or 2 hours, per member.     

   Madison East, the student president of DFY at West Ranch, remarked, “This toy drive is held by the Michael Hoefflin Foundation. They started it initially to help give back to cancer patients and give joy during the holiday season because times will be tough for them, especially with hospital bills and [parents] might not be able to get toys for their kids.” 

   Hard work was put into this toy drive by DFY to organize and execute this drive during the holiday season. 

  “We planned [the drive] during our leadership conference. We made boxes and talked about a strategy to implement [it] at our school, and talked with West Ranch TV and sent out emails to make sure that it was getting published,” East explained.

   Although it is a lot of work behind the scenes, the hours put into planning and carrying out this event were worth the effort for DFY members. “Especially coming out from Thanksgiving, the food drive is definitely a little bit different so it’s fun!” East said.

   Giving back during the holidays is very important, and DFY aims to donate to children across Santa Clarita with the help of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation this year. 

   Cats, even though the toy drive is over, it is not too late to donate during the holiday season!