Give a Gift, Share a Smile

December 15th, 2025 O'Neals, CA Sarah Kinnunen, Reporter

Our O’Neals-Minarets FFA chapter was excited to share that the annual Adopt a Family fundraiser was underway earlier this holiday season. For those who may not know, Adopt a Family is a long-standing Minarets tradition where our agriculture department provides ornaments in their classrooms. Each ornament listed the name of a family member and a suggested gift, which ranged from clothing and food to toys for children in these families.

Handmade Adopt a Family ornaments displayed with gift requests written on each tag. Photo by Nicole Alas

This year, five families in the Central Valley needed support, and over three hundred ornaments were created to help make their holidays brighter. Thanks to the generosity of our community, these gifts made a meaningful difference during the holiday season.

Each ornament represents a family member and a chance to brighten someone’s holiday. Photo by Nicole Alas

During an Ag teacher’s Community Day, Mustangs who signed up had the opportunity to help wrap the donated gifts and show their support for families in need. Students came together to give back to the community by wrapping ornaments and preparing presents for the adopted families. Every gift wrapped helped bring a little more joy to someone’s holiday.

Written by Sarah Kinnunen

Photos by Nicole Alas

Edited by Josephina Emerson