Lupin students make holidays brighter
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

LITTLE ELVES- Lupin Hill students wrap gifts to be given to families living at the Women's Care Cottage in North Hollywood. Each class at Lupin adopted one family living at the cottage during the holiday season, donating gifts from the family's wish list.

Lupin Hill Elementary School helped make the holidays a bit brighter for 30 families from the Women's Care Cottage in North Hollywood.

The Calabasas school adopted families living at the cottage during the holiday season, said Lesli Kraut, president of Lupin Hill Parent Faculty Club.

Each class was assigned a family to adopt, and each student was responsible for one member of the family. Gifts were purchased from wish lists and included bicycles, computers and new beds. Students and parents wrapped the gifts and made cards during holiday parties at the school.

"A caravan of parents delivered more than 10 SUV loads of presents," Kraut said.

Founded in 1985, the Women's Care Cottage helps homeless women and children build new lives. The organization is committed to helping families move off the streets and succeed independently.

Programs at the cottage include a 90day emergency shelter, transitional housing, a resource center, career readiness program and a communitybased program designed to help women and families who are living at or below the poverty line, she said.

"This was the first year Lupin attempted the schoolwide AdoptA-Family program and (it) was received well," Kraut said.

She credited the work of PFC volunteer coordinators Kimber Salvaggio and Kim Hamilton for the success of the program.

"Our children were able to learn the gift of giving and we were able to give a few deserving families a very merry Christmas," Kraut said.