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Imperial Valley College student Daniel Diaz shows the packaged decorations Wednesday at IVC that will be later used to decorate Niland's Chamber of Commerce for the Thanksgiving dinner today. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO / November 22, 2012) |
IMPERIAL — A tradition that started six years ago at Imperial Valley College is still going strong today with plenty of student participation.
Each year on the day before Thanksgiving, members of the IVC Students for Political Awareness organization travel to the Northend of the Imperial Valley to help bring holiday cheer to the families there.
Students help decorate the Niland Chamber of Commerce Building in preparation of a turkey feast that will be served Thanksgiving Day.
“We are very happy that we have been able to continue with this project,” said Gaylla Finnell, faculty adviser. “The community there had really embraced us and they are so appreciative of the decorations and the food.”
Organization vice president Daniel Diaz said he has been dedicating his time to the cause for two years.
“A lot of people just forget about the poverty over there,” said Diaz, a 26-year-old Palm Springs native. “It’s just a nice thing we like to do for people in need.”
Jhoana Tovar has also been participating in the decorating process for the past two years.
“It’s a pretty simple thing we do, but it means so much to the people there,” said Tovar, the organization secretary and 22-year-old Brawley resident. “It’s nice that we do it on Thanksgiving because it gives everyone something to be grateful for.”
In addition to college students making the trip, 13-year-old Camryn Finnell also enjoys heading to Niland for a little community service.
“I think I’ve been going since I was about 6 or 7,” said Camryn, an El Centro resident. “It’s a fun event because we’ll help pass out food and my dad will play the guitar.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
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