What is CHOP?

Chatfield’s Holiday Outreach Party (CHOP) is an event Chatfield hosts in which the entirety of our school gets together to give the Christmas experience to Molholm Elementary elementary students. MCA begins preparations at least a month in advance, and many other clubs such as Key Club lend a hand, as well as staff including teachers; office aids; custodians; etc., athletics, and the whole student body when MCA begins to collect presents. CHOP not only allows us to show kindness and compassion to the Molholm students, but it also allows us to show kindness and compassion to each other as well as build bonds between each other and feel as though as we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. 

Why is CHOP Important? 

CHOP allows the students of Chatfield to break down the bubble we have the privilege of living in, and give back to those who are less fortunate, and realize how lucky we are to be attending the school we attend, and live in the area we live in. 

As for the Molholm students, I believe it’s incredibly important for them to always have something to look forward to during the holiday season regardless of their current situation. At least speaking on my behalf I never had to worry about not having a Christmas to look forward to, so I think it’s incredibly important for these kids at the age they’re  at to experience a Christmas they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

Speaking to an MCA officer 

I spoke to another officer of MCA and asked her a couple questions regarding CHOP with the first one being why she believes CHOP is important. We discussed again the topic of helping an underfunded community, and bringing Chatfield together as a school, however, she also brought up that it was,

“a great opportunity to meet people who share the same passions as yourself.”

No matter how stressful CHOP began to feel it was nice to know that she had people supporting her consistently who wanted this to be as great as she did. I then asked her how she believes CHOP affects Chatfield. She obviously brought up the overwhelming sense of community we all feel, but she also talked about how it makes everyone begin to feel the holiday spirit. With finals being the last thing we do before break it’s hard to stay motivated so even leaving the decorations up through finals week reminds everyone that we are, “this much closer to Christmas.” Lastly, I asked her how CHOP made her feel overall. She said that it honestly gave her the energy to finish out the semester, and made he overwhelmingly happy. She described,  “that the way the kids glowed when they walked in was surreal and just the most adorable thing she’s ever seen, and with that, she finished our conversation with saying that all of the hard work we put in was absolutely worth it.”

Reflection from CHOP

I am incredibly proud of all of the work everyone put into CHOP this year to make it as special as it was. Without the help of everyone, we would not have been able to achieve what we were and for that, I’m also very grateful for the community that is within Chatfield.