Dist. 212 Cooperative Work Program holds holiday party

Every December, for the past 10 years, Leyden’s Cooperative Education Club members host a luncheon for clients of Leyden Family Services, a local agency that provides counseling, treatment and preventive care services for adults, adolescents, senior citizens, children and families. This year’s luncheon was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the LFS facility in Franklin Park.

Twelve co-op student helpers organized the event that included a buffet luncheon, decorations, entertainment by the Leyden Chamber Singers, under the direction of Stacy Cunningham, a visit from Santa and a holiday singalong led by Chuck Alvarado, a special-education teacher. At the end of the party, the students presented the organization with a $710 check to help support the agency’s food pantry program. Each co-op student donated $10 to the cause — thus the $710 total.

The meal consisted of appetizers, chicken from Mariano’s Fresh Market in Elmhurst, pasta salad, a green salad, bread, butter, soft drinks and a cake.

“We have co-op students working at Mariano’s and they gave us a great deal plus a $25 gift card to help pay for the food,” said Fran Brady, director of Careers and Business Education department chairman. “Michele Baking Company in Franklin Park donated 10 loaves of bread. We want to thank both companies for their donations.”

The students presented the check to LFS at the end of the luncheon. At that time, Tim Murphy, a business education teacher at West, told guests and staff members that the luncheon is his favorite event.

“It makes me feel good,” he said. “I look forward to it every year.”

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