Educational Services – Glendale Unified School District held its fourth annual toy distribution for GUSD homeless, foster and low-income families on Dec. 19.

The Christmas tree in the lobby, donated by Mark Yeager, had the names of 42 foster and 68 homeless students. Staff in the administration building at Glendale Unified School District, PTA, and other participants chose a name from the tree and purchased gifts for the 110 homeless and foster GUSD youth. Joanne Brown and her organization PEO Chapter HG donated gifts and $300 in gift cards and toys. Brown independently sponsored one of the Healthy Start families with their wish list.

Healthy Start Dept. also sponsored 268 of the District’s low-income families. Officer Joe Allen from GPD reached out to Educational Services and, with the help of the Glendale Elks Lodge, sponsored 130 students by delivering toys and food for the families. Officer Allen and the Elks Lodge personally sponsored three of Healthy Start families with their wish lists. Healthy Start staff sponsored three additional families with their wish lists.

Glendale Unified School District’s management team (GMSA) donated $1,100 in gift cards to Healthy Start to assist with the toy drive.

In all, the district offices serviced 508 families this holiday season.

Contributed by Dr. IlIn MAGRAN