Grade 4 Students Serve Community at 9th Annual ‘Santa’s Scottie Village’ Learning Project

Santa’s Scottie Village is a cherished community outreach led by St. Margaret’s Lower School with collaboration from St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and Padres Unidos.

St. Margaret’s Fountain Courtyard turned into a shopping extravaganza with books, toys, clothes, pajamas and holiday cheer, the culmination of a service-learning project benefiting Orange County families. 

 

Santa’s Scottie Village is an annual community outreach in its ninth year led by St. Margaret’s Lower School with collaboration from St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and Padres Unidos. The project supports local families who participate in a weekly preschool and parent education program at the Church through Padres Unidos, a non-profit group of community workers who serve families in Orange Country through a variety of child, youth and family services.

 

“In Santa’s Scottie Village students are participating in every step of the service.  After learning about Padres Unidos, sharing the goal, helping to request donations, working together to collect, sort and even display items, they are so excited to see the gifts find a home with families from Padres Unidos,” said Tupper Spring, Lower School director of community life.

The Lower School community, guided by the leadership of grade 4 students, united to support the project through a donation drive. The initiative collected a variety of gifts, including pajamas, dolls, books, toys, and clothing. The event was made even more festive with beautifully decorated shopping bags, a wrapping station, and personalized Christmas cards, adding a special touch to the joyful season.

“I love getting to see our students feel empowered and such joy in an act of service,” said Ms. Spring.

The project aligns with grade 4’s global goal of sustainable cities and communities, as students learned the importance of supporting families in the building of a strong community.