High School Illustrated High School Sports Magazine
For the second consecutive year, members of the Santa Margarita Ice Hockey team delivered Christmas trees to Marine families at Camp Pendleton. The trees were purchased by Santa Margarita families and friends for donation to needy families on the base. This year, 97 trees were delivered free of charge to Marine families that are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.(EFMP) The EFMP assists families who have recently relocated due to a change in orders, and also helps care for families who have special needs, such as children with life-threatening illnesses.
The experience was a joyful one for the Marine families and the SMCHS students alike. As the accompanying pictures show, smiles were plenteous, as was the goodwill. After loading a Christmas tree, one of the students approached a child and asked for a “high five.” When the child responded, his mother reacted emotionally and told the student that her child was autistic and never touches anyone outside of his family.
This is another example of Caritas Christi, the love of Christ, evident and alive in the SMCHS community. The team offers thanks to all who purchased trees, to their coaches, team managers and volunteers who arranged the event and provided the transportation for the trees, and especially to the families who serve our country.
Established in 1987, Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a nationally-recognized award-winning co-educational, college preparatory, diocesan high school with approximately 1,600 students and more than 7,000 alumni.
