Franklin Students Provide Thanksgiving Dinners for 75 Highland Park Families

Through the coodinated efforts Franklin High School's Senior Cabinet, Leadership Class and UCLA Afternoon School Program, students were able to collect enough food to gather enough food to feed 75 Highland Park families this Thanksgiving.

The food drive began in the last week of October, with students in every classroom donating food items. Leading the collection effort was Franklin's Reserve Officer's Training Corps. (ROTC) class, which donated the most food.

Orhestrating the event were Senior Class Advisor Natalie Esber and UCLA After School Program Coordinator Yenni Yi, who were able to secure large donation of turkeys from California State Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles)--a Franklin High School Alum--as well as contributions from local City Council Members Ed Reyes and José Huizar and Senator Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles).

Local businesses like and local State Farm Agent Julie Montenegro also got in on the effort.

Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council member Teri Bonsell and her husband Paul have also been volunteering their time to the food drive since it was first held six years ago.

"It started with four families and it has grown to this year 75, with help and care from all our elected officials and staff and business sponsors," Bonsell said. "It goes to show, that when we come together there are unlimited possibilities."