Los Al Students Given $23K To Learn The Joy Of Giving

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — The Los Alamitos High School ASB class calls themselves "the Griffters" this holiday season. In 2018, they are on a mission to change the lives of many across the county.

In November, an anonymous corporate donor contacted teacher Tami Sciacca, the LosAl HS Associated Student Body program director, and donated $500 for each of her 46 students on one condition — that they give it away to someone in need.

Once her students found out about the donation, they spent the next 30 days discussing how to give the money in ways that could make a difference in people’s lives.

The ASB students worked in teams to give the money and document the process in a series of YouTube videos entitled “Griffting Season,” a mash-up of the Griffin school mascot and gifting.

The students would then release new episodes each week until all of the money has been given away.

Each $500 gift was given to a diverse group of recipients including a homeless student at CSULB, a car wash attendant in Los Alamitos, an elderly couple who changed a student's life, a student from Downey who needed assistance to go to outdoor science camp, and a family with six kids living in a hotel.

Sciacca said her students described giving the $500 gifts and spreading joy, positivity, and the meaning of unconditional giving as “life-changing “ and an experience they will never forget.

“I think Anne Frank was on target when she said, ‘No one ever became poor by giving,’ " said Los Alamitos High Principal Dr. Gregg Stone. “Actually, quite the opposite occurs. We get far more when we give than when we receive.”

With Robert Ostmann, Los Alamitos Unified School District