“No act of kindness
is ever wasted.” 
Aesop

I had one of those serendipitous moments around noontime yesterday when I happened upon a hidden treasure in Santa Clara. While walking from the classroom where I teach Creative Writing on Tuesday mornings to the main office of the Santa Clara Adult Education Program, I met Jackie Reyes. She was assisting a local resident with picking out some clothing the woman needed for her family. Until that time, I was unaware that right there, on the campus where I teach, is the Family Resource Center of the Santa Clara Unified School District.

The resource center offers a variety of services to economically disadvantaged Santa Clara residents. These services include educational and parenting workshops, referrals for healthcare, social services, and housing, as well as monthly food distributions. In addition, residents in need have access to a pantry of food, toiletries, clothing, and school supplies. As one might expect, the center relies on the compassionate generosity of local residents to provide these valuable items for their clients.

With Christmas less than a week away, the greatest need at the Family Resource Center right now is clothing for middle school and high school girls and boys. Donations of new or gently used clothing may be dropped off at 1840 Benton Street (near Lincoln Street), Building C, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Kathy Calvin, the former CEO of the United Nations Foundation, pointed out, “Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.” Yes, our donations to the Family Resource Center will make a positive difference in the lives of economically challenged families. 

Giving from our heart is one of the most satisfying experiences in life. It’s for this reason that author Roy T. Bennett urged us to “…help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” This is the true spirit of giving.

We might mistakenly believe that what we have to offer would be too small to truly make a significant difference in the lives of others. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Olympic gold medalist Hannah Teter pointed out, “It doesn’t take a big donation to help someone, just a lot of little donations.”

We do have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I invite and encourage you to consider a donation of new or gently used clothing to the Family Resource Center in Santa Clara. Your generosity will most certainly make a difference in the lives of others.

Family Resource Center
Santa Clara Unified School District
1840 Benton Street, Building C
Santa Clara, CA 95050