Echo Horizon School’s Annual Turkey in a Tote Takes Off

For the past 15 years, Echo Horizon School has participated in a Thanksgiving tradition called “Turkey in a Tote.’ The program is designed to support less fortunate families throughout Los Angeles.

Echo Horizon schools works with Children Helping Poor and Homeless People (CHPHP), and students help collect specific food items to supply meals (in totes) to 100 families in Los Angeles.

Each grade participates in a different aspect. The Pre-K and Kindergarten students color the Thanksgiving cards; the 2^nd graders chart the school community donations on bar graphs and the 6^th graders work the assembly line on assembly day, and every grade in between participates in one form or another.

Each recipient family gets the traditional Thanksgiving meal items of stuffing, canned veggies, cornbread, cranberries etc., and an extra special treat – home-baked cookies provided by the Echo Horizon School families. This year, Whole Foods Market added to what the school collected and donated 120 cans of pumpkin puree and 120 cans of gravy.  The final component of the tote is a $15 gift card for purchasing the all-important turkey.

This year the School collected over $1,800 from it’s families, allowing for an additional $300 monetary donation to CHPHP on top of the meal totes. Third-grader Michelle S held a garage sale over the weekend to raise the $70 she donated towards the gift cards.

“This annual undertaking clearly demonstrates the strength of our community,” said Echo Horizons’ Director of Admissions, Jenny Boone. “Seeing parents, faculty and students all participating to ensure the success of a very meaningful project makes me smile with pride and gratitude.  Meeting with Christine Schenes, the founder of CHPHP, and hearing the impact of our contribution on the families with whom her organization works as well as hearing our children voice things like, "Giving makes me feel good." keeps us returning year after year.  I love being part of this Thanksgiving tradition.”

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