The 2023-2024 Los Gatos High School Varsity Dance Team decided to collaborate with House of Hope to create care packages to donate to those in need. Inside the care packages are toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick, canned beans, lotion, and more. LGHS Dance wants to aid the homeless population in our local community and hopes to make a small difference in someone’s life. LGHS Dance plans on continuing to volunteer with the House of Hope and attempting to help with the homelessness crisis in California!
On Friday April 19th, the Los Gatos High School varsity baseball team spent their morning supporting the Empower Me Center during the Whip Crackin’ Rodeo event in Lebanon, Tennessee. This event brought together over 450 special needs youth, and the team was able to actively coordinate and manage various activities during the day. From horseback riding to limbo and a plethora of carnival games, the team ensured that participants had a memorable experience.
Their efforts weren’t just about lending a hand; they were about creating moments of joy for the Empower Me guests. The morning buzzed with laughter and camaraderie as the baseball team worked to ensure the smooth running of the event. Their involvement not only left a positive impact on the Empower Me attendees but also on the team themselves, fostering a sense of fulfillment and community spirit among the players.
By supporting Empower Me, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities, the Los Gatos High School varsity baseball team exemplified the power of volunteering and compassion. Their selfless dedication to making a difference underscores the importance of community involvement and highlights the positive ripple effects that come from lending a helping hand.
Track and Field recently completed their community service project. The team spent the day cleaning up Vasona Park.
The Los Gatos High School Badminton team embarked on a fulfilling community service initiative during their spring break, showcasing their dedication to giving back to their local community. Split into groups over three days, the players eagerly volunteered their time and efforts at the Live Oak Senior Center.
Throughout their service, the students engaged in various activities aimed at brightening the days of the senior residents. Whether it was assisting with recreational games, organizing social events, or simply spending quality time chatting with the seniors, the students brought warmth and companionship to the center.
The experience proved to be mutually rewarding, as the players not only contributed to the well-being of the seniors but also gained invaluable lessons in empathy, compassion, and the importance of community involvement. Their enthusiastic participation and positive energy left a lasting impression on both the residents and staff of the Live Oak Senior Center.
By actively engaging in this community service activity, the Los Gatos High School Badminton team exemplified their commitment to making a difference beyond the confines of the badminton court. Through their selfless efforts, they not only strengthened their bonds as a team but also left a positive impact on the lives of those they served.
It has become an annual tradition for the wrestling program to volunteer at the Los Gatos Lions Club Cioppino Feed Fundraiser event. Each year members of the team show up to help clean dishes and clean up after the event. The kids love volunteering many hours to help support this event. Proceeds from the event go to support many of the Lions Club programs in the town of Los Gatos.
This year, LGHS Boys Volleyball volunteered with Martha’s Kitchen, a local soup kitchen in San Jose. Martha’s Kitchen works to provide warm and on the go meals for those in need in the area. The team helped make over 800 sandwiches which are distributed all over the city, as well as prep the dinners that are served at Martha’s Kitchen. They also helped clean up the dining room area and pick up trash in the surrounding neighborhood. The team’s volunteer efforts were greatly appreciated and we are excited to return in future years!
For the third year in a row the Los Gatos girls basketball program has worked with St. Luke’s Pantry to put together cold weather kits for unhoused people in Los Gatos. The team started participating in this event because it was a way for them to give back during the pandemic when the season was delayed and in person volunteer opportunities were hard to find. The program looks forward to being able to do it each year!
Girls Water Polo gives back while keeping our beaches clean.
On December 9th members of our girl’s water polo program conducted a beach cleanup at Twin Lakes in Santa Cruz. The girls managed to collect 6 large bags of trash and in the process gave back to the community keeping our beaches clean a free of harmful trash to local wildlife. This is another great example how our Water Polo team strives to make a difference both in pool and in the community at large.
Way to go LGHS Girls Water Polo!
Boys and Girls Cross Country
On Friday December 1st about 35 kids from the boys and girls cross country program participated in town clean up event. Thanks to Cross Country Captains Kate Herron, Abigail Zolla, and Jensen Bidmead for helping to recruit athlete’s to volunteer their time. The town of Los Gatos greatly appreciates our work to ensure Los Gatos looks it best and keep trash out of our local water ways. The volunteers worked for two hours cleaning up the downtown area and the municipal parking lots. Twenty-three bags of trash were collected during the cleanup along with some larger debris items.
Cheer- On November 15th the Los Gatos High School Cheer Team volunteered with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley! During their time there, they packaged 600 boxes of produce, which will be completely distributed within the next 48 hours because the need is so high right now. Second Harvest provided a fun and safe volunteering environment, and the team can’t wait to go back and volunteer again!
Football
Each year at the LGHS football sleep over camp the team participates in Town Clean-Up project. Working in conjunction with the town of Los Gatos, all 52 players made their way through downtown “cleaning up”. Their tasks included scrubbing of the trash and recycle bins, sweeping of the storefronts, and some basic pruning of the trees and shrubs. It’s a greater opportunity for our players to “give back” and the community really appreciated their efforts.
The football team also conducted their annual fundraiser on Friday October 13th against Mt. View High school for the “Pink Out Game”. Over the last two years, the American Cancer Society Club held Pink Out Games in early October and raised about $20,000 for ACS. The team raised thousands of dollars again this year for Coaches Against Cancer and the American Cancer Society Club at Los Gatos.
