Amidst all the noisy commercialism surrounding the winter season, many students have not forgotten that sharing and giving are the true meaning of the holidays.

This season, various Gunn clubs are offering students a wide range of community service opportunities. For example, on Nov. 30, Youth Community Service (YCS) hosted Family Giving Tree, an annual project in which students buy gifts requested by underprivileged children. Senior Megan Lucas, who is participating for the first time this year, is giving Disney toys. “I just wanted to help out the community,” Lucas said.

At the annual Veterans Hospital Craft Fair on Dec. 7, student volunteers helped seniors make wreaths, while a group of Key Club students sang Christmas carols to seniors at Casa Olga on Dec. 10. “Usually, the seniors don’t have families there with them,” junior Jerry Tsao said. “It feels nice to sing to [the seniors] and see them get really happy to have us there.”

From Dec. 15 to 19, a team of 19 students and three staff members—law teacher Patricia Bruegger, science teacher Josh Bloom and math teacher Daisy Renazco—will build houses for the needy in Tijuana, Mexico, in conjunction with Interact and an organization called Esperanza, which means “hope” in Spanish. Depending on community needs, the specific building projects vary, ranging from houses to medical clinics.

Math teacher Dave Deggeller, who went on the trip five times but who will not be able to do so this year, described Tijuana as a gratifying experience. “Its eye-opening because I’ve never seen poverty like that,” he said. “There’s such a stark difference between here and what lies just south of the border. The humanistic aspects are the most rewarding—meeting the family and seeing how grateful they are, experiencing the culture and practicing the language. Its also great to see how the group of American students bond.”

Bruegger, a first-time participant, expressed excitement about the upcoming event. “I’m looking forward to a safe, fun trip—something that’s a win-win situation for everyone involved,” she said, stressing that it is student-run. “It’s the students that are really doing it,” Bruegger said. “I’m in the background.” The three student leaders, who picked the rest of the student team in September, are seniors Jin-Kyung Kim, Avery Naar and Danielle Negrin.

For those students who missed past volunteering opportunities but still want to help out, there are numerous other chances to show and spread the spirit of goodwill. For instance, YCS Fellows will hold the 14th Annual Winter Service Day on Dec. 17. Lasting from morning to afternoon, it invites family participation consists of four programs—Hunger and Homeless, Healthcare, Childcare and Environment. Plans include going to San Francisco’s Tenderloin district as part of the Hunger and Homeless program.

Sophomore Naomi Shachter, a Fellow who is in charge of the Childcare activities, encouraged students and families to participate. “I’m looking forward to practicing leadership and just being able to help people,” she said.

On Dec. 17, Key Club will host Ice Skating Under the Stars from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Palo Alto Winterlodge. As part of Key Club’s project Target: Eradicate, a portion of the proceeds ($7 entrance and $3 skate rental fee) will go to Measles Initiative, which vaccinates African children. Senior Key Club president Priscilla Jang considered the activity a chance to have fun and help at the same time. “It’ll be great just being with your friends while skating for a cause,” Jang said. “You’ll know that the money is going to a place where it will really matter to the people.”

Key Club’s January projects include Toiletries for the Homeless on Jan. 22. Volunteers will obtain toiletries via donations and purchases and will pay for their own transportation to San Francisco to hand them out to the homeless around City Hall. Junior Jill Fu, who is running the activity, is excited about the project. “You’ll actually be able to be around the homeless, and you can learn about them,” Fu said. “I’ve heard that they like to talk to you, which is good because personally, I’ve always been a little uncomfortable about the homeless—[who] have drug- or alcohol-related problems and [who] are actually unlucky”

For those students looking for alternatives to clubs, off-campus volunteering is always an option. Urban Ministry’s Breaking Bread Hot Meals program provides free hot meals every day for the needy—six in Palo Alto churches and one in Menlo Park—and welcomes volunteers to prepare the meal, serve and clean up. According to Urban Ministry, food supplies run lowest in January and February. As a result, it will hold a food drive on Jan. 23 to support its Downtown Food Closet. Those interested can drop off non-perishable food items from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Congregation Emek Beracha (4102 El Camino in Palo Alto).

On top of donations for the needy, students’ time is appreciated, especially at Lytton Gardens—home to over 500 seniors. “We would love to get Gunn students involved with visiting lonely seniors, such as friendly students who want to put a smile on someone’s face,” Director of Volunteers Alisa Tantraphol said. Particularly wanted are students who can visit with a pet, who speak Russian, Mandarin or Cantonese and who can entertain seniors with music.

Whether it be spending quality time with seniors, donating money to help the unfortunate or physically helping those in need, winter is full of opportunities for students to warm up the chill this year.