Quail Creek ‘Angels’ Brighten South Tucson Students’ Holiday Spirits

Checks delivered to Lapan (left to right): Beth Larose, Quail Creek, with Bunco Party check; Denise Valenzuela, Lapan Business Manager; Edgar Toledo, Program Coordinator for Middle School Engagement; Carol Richardson, CHHQC Chair for Lapan Gift Drive; Sue Ann Obremski, President of CHHQC

Caring Hearts & Hands members at the gift drop-off drive-thru (left to right): Jean Mercer, Carol Richardson, Kathy Krieg, Sue Ann Obremski, Cheri Olson

Connie Vaughan

Caring Hearts & Hands of Quail Creek (CHHQC) wants to thank all the residents who participated in supporting a holiday gift drive for underserved South Tucson students (kindergarten through high school) with its partner Lapan.

Due to the generosity of the Quail Creek “Angels” (our residents), 62 families with 156 students had a bright and merry holiday. Residents’ gifts averaged $75 per child, demonstrating that Quail Creek is a caring and nurturing community. Gifts ranged from books, pajamas, blankets, toys, games, sporting goods, teen makeup, and essentials such as winter coats and gloves. Gifts were dropped off on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Kino Conference Center, along with the ever-popular drive-through service. The Kino Conference Room was filled with large holiday gift bags for each student, packed with their requested gifts, and wrapping paper. Caring Hearts & Hands volunteers (the elves) then went to work bundling all the gift packages into family units for pickup and delivery by Lapan staff and volunteers to the Lapan Center in Tucson.

In addition to the holiday gifts, Caring Hearts & Hands also provided a holiday meal to each family through the generous donations from the Quail Creek community and revenue from the CHHQC handmade card sales at the Fall Festival.

Each family provided a handwritten thank you card for our “Angel” residents, and the Caring Hearts & Hands elves delivered these cards in January.

To further brighten the holiday spirits, the Lapan Music Department received a $5,600 check courtesy of Beth Larose and her Quail Creek friends’ annual Bunco Party-Lapan Fundraiser. Thank you, Bunco ladies.

Caring Hearts & Hands presented a $500 check to Lapan’s Art program.

Lapan provides students from underserved communities with scholarships, mentorship, access to opportunities, and support for their often-overlooked additional needs. Lapan’s aim is to level the playing field and empower deserving students with the opportunity to pursue their dreams of college or technical training through trade schools.