Christmas is a time for giving. However for Teresa Tiso, Claire Huo, Caoimhe Marcrunnels, and Katie Nachtsheim in the fourth grade at St. Raymond School in Menlo Park, giving is something that happens all year round.
These four girls are the founders of the TKCC (Teresa, Katie, Claire and Caoimhe) Charity Group and have been running their charity since December 2005. Although they enjoy giving to everyone in need, their main focus is the St. Francis Center, run by Sister Christina Heltsley in Redwood City.
“La Casita” or “The Little House” of the St. Francis Center provides food and clothing to some 500 families a month, and the Holy Family School provides elementary-grade education for 12 children from Central and South American immigrant families.
The girls of TKCC use their own hard-earned money to buy supplies for St. Francis Center. They have held fundraising drives and set up lemonade stands to raise money for such things as baby food, Christmas gifts, clothes and toiletries.
“I’ve learned from this experience that you have to give up certain things to help others,” says Caoimhe Macrunnels.
Add Teresa Tiso: “I am lucky to have what I have and I want to help others be as lucky as me.”
The girls’ proud parents are delighted that their children have this chance to be more aware of the needs around them.
Sister Christina says it makes her happy to see that no matter your age, you can make a difference in another person’s life.
To learn more about the St. Francis Center, call 365-7892 or go to stfrancisrws.org.
Katie Blankenberg, 13, is a seventh-grader at St. Raymond School in Menlo Park. She lives in Portola Valley.
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