Often attention remains the best gift for young children. For parent-deprived kids, time spent on amusement is something to cherish.

For the third consecutive year the California Scholarship Federation [CSF] visited the Craycroft Youth Center on Nov. 29. Craycroft provides a safe haven for abandoned and abused children when parents can either no longer care for them or are imprisoned.

?Craycroft is an emergency shelter for children,? Ellen King, CSF adviser, said. ?The kids are not there for more than 30 days. These children are homeless, most of their parents are in prison.?

Students left school after eighth period at 3:15 P.M. and returned at 5:15 P.M. on Nov. 29.

?This is a chance to help children in need of love and attention,? Kara Linkowski, ?08, said. ?This is such a wonderful opportunity to help those less fortunate.?

This trip was opened to non-CSF members, and students were given community service for volunteering. The purpose of this event was to visit and reach out to Craycroft children during the holiday season.

?We are going to play with the kids,? King said. ?In the past we have played games, and given presents this time we decided to make the trip just to spend time with the kids.?

?At Craycroft the kids were from six to 17,? Craig Zuercher, ?07, said. ?I originally went for community service; it was a little weird going up to a strange person and talking to them.?

Overall students found the experience beneficial because students could reach out of their comfort zones and help out others less fortunate by merely playing with them.

?It was fun playing with all the kids,? Linkowski said. ?We played duck, duck goose and dressed up with them, some people where even playing video games. Everywhere you looked, there were a series of different games going on.?

King is considering a second trip to visit the kids within the next 45 days. Anyone interested in participating should contact her ASAP.

For more information regarding Craycroft, contact King at 299-1695, ext. 167 or email her at [email protected].