Two inspiring eighth-grade students, Xiomara Gonzalez Rubio and Royal Augustt, both from Fesler Junior High School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, have shown leadership and compassion by organizing a school-wide baby shower donation fundraiser to benefit Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Maria.

As members of the school district’s Student Leader Advisory committee, Rubio and Augustt were tasked with developing a service project that would foster unity and support within their school community.

The students conceived the donation drive modeled after a traditional baby shower to provide support to local mothers and infants in need. In addition to being in the district’s student leadership group, each student is involved in school-wide leadership.

Augustt is Fesler ASB president, and Rubio is a member of the student leadership class.

Rubio said she wanted to help families in need and bring the community together.

“The shelter was the most meaningful place to support. Seeing everyone give so generously was heartwarming. I feel proud and grateful to have made a difference,” she said.

Augustt said the baby shower was a huge success.

“I am so glad that the mothers and children at the Good Samaritan Shelter can have the supplies they need,” Augustt said. “We chose this activity because we know that there are people in our community in need, and a schoolwide baby shower was our way of helping.

“My favorite part of the baby shower was counting the supplies from each classroom because I knew that I was doing more than counting,” she said. “Each item represented a chance to make someone’s day a bit better. This service project made me feel happy that a family in need can be supported.”

The initiative encouraged students, families and staff to contribute essential baby items, such as diapers, wipes, baby clothing, formula, and hygiene products.

All the collected donations were then delivered to the Good Samaritan Shelter, an organization that provides vital services to women and children facing housing insecurity and other significant challenges in the local community.

The baby shower donation drive took place in April and incorporated creative strategies to boost participation, including themed collection days, an engaging baby food-tasting competition, and friendly class challenges.

The enthusiastic efforts of the Fesler Junior High School community resulted in the collection of several boxes overflowing with essential items, including an entire box dedicated to baby food and another filled solely with wipes, among other donations.

The Good Samaritan Shelter expressed gratitude for the contributions, which will directly support the well-being of the women and children in their care.

“Knowing that the students chose Good Samaritan Shelter TC House and Project P.R.E.M.I.E. for this special act of kindness is truly heartwarming,” said Anna Chase, program manager for TC House/Project P.R.E.M.I.E.  “The generosity and the outpouring of love for our clients is indescribable.

“We are truly so touched by the students’ thoughtfulness and support. We thank these students for making a positive impact on the lives of the women and children we serve.”