By Maddy Thatcher DRAPER — Juan Diego Catholic High School students and faculty are again helping with the Gift of the Drummer program, which brings underprivileged children in the greater Salt Lake area the joy of Christmas – presents from Santa under the tree and in their stockings on Christmas morning. Campus Life Director Bob Jackson, who heads the program, works with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to organize the gift collection among Juan Diego students through their homeroom classes. "Families register with CCS for Christmas help in September and we let them know how many children we can handle," Jackson said. Then, with the coordination of each homeroom teacher, students provide 60 kids from low-income families with essential needs such as coats, hats, boots, gloves, clothes, and pajamas, along with toys and books. Every homeroom is assigned two children, usually from the same family. Each student is asked to bring in at least one unwrapped item for the children and altogether each child is guaranteed a great Christmas. Holiday service programs like this began when JD opened in 1999. Originally called "The Spirit of Christmas," the name changed to "Gift of the Drummer" three years ago, when Juan Diego partnered with CCS to provide families in their care with Christmas gifts. Delmar Arnold, a new teacher at JD this year, is delighted to see such a great program. "Part of the joy is giving to people and part is also celebrating," said Arnold, who promised a pizza party to his junior homeroom if all the gifts were brought in by Dec. 2. Teacher Moses Baca is no newcomer to the program – he is known on campus for being the first to have all the gifts turned. This year, just days after the program’s kick-off, Baca’s TV production homeroom had all the gifts collected. "I’ve had success with freshmen and now with TV production," Baca said. "We have a small party with soda and candy as a reward." The gifts will be delivered to the families on Dec. 14 using JD’s buses. Students can fulfill some of their service hour requirements by helping to deliver the gifts. Freshmen and other new students are encouraged to participate in one of JD’s longest-running programs. Freshman Megha Kundra, is excited about being a part of the program. "It’s such a meaningful way to give to others," Kundra said. The program brings holiday cheer to both giver and receiver. "Gift of the Drummer gives us a chance to be generous and a great gift to others," Arnold said. Maddy Thatcher is a sophomore at Juan Diego Catholic High School.
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