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A California Distinguished School
Community Involvement
Silver Oak is fortunate to have the support of a caring and involved community of parents, students and staff. Here are some of the charitable activities organized by community members throughout the year. Check the homepage for details of each activity as it takes place and take advantage of these opportunities to "give back".
Second Harvest Food Bank
Each year, Silver Oak is proud to support the Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to provide food for people in need in our community. In December of every year, Silver Oak brings in several Second Harvest Food Bank barrels which are placed throughout the school for families and students to place canned food donations. Watch the school website for participation dates.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. Nearly half of the food distributed is fresh produce. Second Harvest also plays a leading role in promoting federal nutrition programs and educating families on how to make healthier food choices.
Toys for Tots
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Since then, Silver Oak’s “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” event has steadily grown from a one-classroom event to become a school-wide campaign. Each October, fifth grade students spread throughout first through sixth grade classrooms to increase awareness of the need to provide childhood vaccines, education, clean drinking water, and improved nutrition worldwide. The “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” initiative gives Silver Oak students an opportunity to learn about their peers worldwide who are truly in need and to raise money on their behalf as a global citizen.
The campaign provides motivational opportunities to develop research, leadership, and presentation skills and models effective roles for younger students. Over the years, Silver Oak students and their families have proudly donated $45,000 to UNICEF in coin, currency, and personal checks payable to UNICEF.
In 2010, as part of UNICEF’s 60th anniversary, Silver Oak was showcased in a NBC Nightly News “Making a Difference” segment. This was the first time Evergreen School District had received national media recognition. The story focused on our “Kids Helping Kids” campaign.
“Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” introduces students to the idea that they can make a difference. Kids can help kids. Silver Oak students learn that being global citizens can help change the world.
Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. It’s the largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of their dogs and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people.
Students manage a two-week classroom Dollar Drive and present to parents during Open House. Using a “crowd funding” website, Piggybackr.com, they raise additional funds for the organization. Students successfully raise about $6,000 during the campaign.
Pennies for Patients - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Silver Oak Student Council teams up with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during their annual “Pennies for Patients” fundraising drive. For three weeks, starting March 4, students collect spare change to support LLS’s mission; to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and melanoma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Coin collection boxes are sent home with students to help the cause.
American Heart Association - Jump Rope for Heart
Students at Silver Oak jump at the chance to fight heart 
disease and stroke, our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. Each spring, we host our annual Jump Rope For Heart event to raise money for the American Heart Association, which funds lifesaving heart and stroke research and community and educational programs for our youth.
Sacred Heart Survival Sacks
Silver Oak Student Council organizes a school wide collection drive to gather essential hygiene items for Sacred Heart Community Service. These Survival Sacks, designed for the homeless population in San Jose, consist of a brand new backpack filled with essential hygiene items. Sacks are given out the 1st & 15th of every month.
Sacred Heart Community Service is dedicated to bringing our community together to address poverty in Silicon Valley. Through a comprehensive array of resources, services, and community involvement initiatives, SHCS is making a real impact in the lives of working poor families.
