Without the help of even one elf

Orange Coast College freshman Shana Jenkins is finishing up her first

semester in a big way.

Jenkins, 18, chaired the Associated Students of Orange Coast

College’s committee for project Angel Tree, which brings toys to

needy local children. This year, she estimates, they will give out

1,000 toys and 300 stuffed animals.

“It’s been such a big deal,” Jenkins said. “Sometimes it’s kind of

hard and things seem like they’re not coming together. But once they

do and you see the smiles on children’s faces, it’s the most amazing

thing -- helping a child who otherwise would not get something.”

As a member of the school’s leadership program, which sponsors the

toy collection each year, Jenkins followed her passion for community

service when she volunteered to head the Angel Tree Committee. In

high school and through her church, she has helped organize canned

food drives and community outreach programs.

“I really enjoy helping people,” she said. “It’s something I’ve

always been interested in and it seemed like a good opportunity to

get involved.”

Last week, the Associated Students threw a party at the campus

children’s center to distribute the first round of gifts. The

school’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services program will

distribute more toys to children in families it is adopting for the

holidays.

The remainder will go to children in local foster homes.

They also collected about 500 items such as blankets, games and

books for senior citizens at the Costa Mesa Senior Center.

To organize the collection, Jenkins and other committee members

made 4,000 tags with receiver information, including age and gender.

They hung the tags on Christmas trees set up around the campus for

students and teachers to take as a prompt for their gift selection.

Associated Students advisor and professor of leadership studies

Greg Clark said that the annual toy drive is one of many leadership

opportunities on campus for willing students.

Jenkins, he said, was eager to lend a hand.

“Her energy and commitment to this project really captures spirit

of servant leadership, which is something we really promote,” he

said.

-- Marisa O’Neil