Masuk High School staff, students, sports teams, family and friends sponsored 150 children in a Giving Tree program this holiday season, donating over 300 gifts and throwing a bash for families in need at the Students With Academic Growth (S.W.A.G.) Community Center, 391 East Washington Avenue in Bridgeport, last Tuesday evening.
“We have fully filled two F-150 trucks,” said Joel Castillo, a Masuk Spanish teacher and boys JV basketball coach. “This is the third year we’ve done it.”
Castillo said the Giving Tree Project goes beyond distributing gifts. “It’s about creating a joyful and memorable experience for the children,” he said.
To that end, holiday music played inside the community center, while children had their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoyed fresh baked cookies and treats from town basketball teams, and an arts and crafts station Masuk students set up.
“The smiles and excitement of the children make every effort worthwhile,” Castillo said.
He said the event, which has become a cherished annual tradition to bring Christmas cheer, was organized in partnership with Gary Nelson, director of the S.W.A.G. Community Center.
“The goal was to brighten the holidays for children in need,” Castillo said. “To accomplish this, I reached out to my network of Masuk teachers, Masuk administrators, students — both current and former — athletes, coaches, friends, and family. What began as a challenging task, soon turned into a widespread effort, as word spread and more people joined in to help. The generosity of the community was nothing short of incredible.”
This year, Castillo said his daughter, Alyssa, played a crucial role in ensuring the project’s success.
“From planning to execution, she made sure every detail was in order to set up the event smoothly,” Castillo said. “Her hard work and dedication were invaluable. My goal was to teach my daughter and everyone involved that it truly takes a village to accomplish something meaningful and to highlight how important it is to give back to the community.”
“The kids had a great time. Families were very thankful and were fully supportive of our efforts,” Castillo said.
In a social media post with photos of her children posing with Santa, parent, Karen Murphy, wrote, “Shoutout to Gary Nelson Jr. and Joel Castillo. Everything was so nice. We appreciate you both.”
Joy of giving
“For me, this project holds a special place in my heart as it coincides with my birthday on December 16th,” Castillo said. “Planning this event has become my annual birthday celebration for the third year in a row. I can’t think of a better way to spend it than by helping others.”
Castillo expressed his gratitude for a community of support that made this year’s event possible.
Among the Masuk athletes volunteering were boys and girls basketball players, boys and girls soccer players, and members of Castillo’s 18U Rhode Island Thunder softball team, which is based out of Monroe.
“Not everyone was able to attend, because some could not get a ride,” he said. “But they all contributed in one way or another.”
“A heartfelt thank you to Middlebrook Elementary, Griffin Hospital, Masuk High School, and the Monroe community for their contributions,” Castillo said. “Together, we’ve made a difference, and I look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come. After all, the true gift of the season is the joy of giving.”
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