December 8, 2017
By Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA—Westhoff Elementary ignited the spirit of giving during its 25th annual Spark of Love toy drive and holiday musical on Friday.
The kindergarten through fifth grade students dropped off hundreds of new toys for underserved children in the Los Angeles area as they entered the amphitheater.
“It is a good feeling giving to someone else,” said Michelle Tran, age 9, after she donated a cuddly stuffed toy.
Each grade level then took a turn on the stage decorated with snow-capped trees, colorful presents, and glittered ornaments to perform a special holiday song.
“Spark of Love is a great opportunity to blend with our character programs and to showcase our beautiful children,” said Principal Denise Rendon to the families attending the signature event on December 8.
Kindergarteners wearing leis, hula skirts, and sunglasses sang “Merry Hula” followed by first graders rocking out to “Christmas Conga.”
Second graders delighted the audience with the popular “Frosty the Snowman” and third graders performed a sweet rendition of “Christmas Cookies.”
Talented fourth and fifth grade performed “Holiday of Music” and “Snow, Snow, Snow” featuring dance, gymnastic, scooter, and skateboard solos.
The program concluded with staff members dancing to “Winter Wonderland” and a surprise visit by Santa Claus and his elves.
Westhoff has been a proud partner of the Spark of Love event, co-sponsored by Southland Firefighters and ABC7, since it began in 1992.
Local firefighters from Station #146 were on hand to deliver the donations later in the day.
“This is a great accomplishment!” said Captain Bryan Kidder acknowledging the school’s longtime involvement with the annual drive.
“We appreciate all the toys donated by Westhoff students and their parents. They’ll go to needy kids who don’t have toys for the Christmas holidays.”
“If you see all the toys in the boxes today, that’s a ton of toys!” Rendon added.
Shown:
Westhoff Elementary students donate hundreds of toys during the 25th annual Spark of Love program on Dec. 8.
Merry Hula! Adorable kindergartners kick off the 25th annual Spark of Love program at Westhoff Elementary wearing sunglasses, colorful leis, and hula skirts.
Westhoff Elementary first graders have all the right moves during their performance of “Christmas Conga.”
Westhoff second graders delight audience with a holiday favorite, “Frosty the Snowman.”
Third graders take the stage to entertain families and friends with a sweet rendition of “Christmas Cookies” on December 8.
Fourth graders sing in harmony during “Holiday of Music” at the Spark of Love program on Dec. 8.
Talented Westhoff fifth graders entertain with dance, skateboard, and gymnastics during their version of “Snow, Snow, Snow.”
Westhoff “Sparketts” perform the staff finale during the Spark of Love program.
Let it snow! Santa and his elves make a surprise visit during the Spark of Love holiday program on December 8.