CCA Church and Volunteer Relations Manager Thelma Cantu visited the Fashion Design class on Oct. 2 to kick off a project where students will make stockings for CCA families. That day, students brought in supplies to donate and started making two stockings each. The fabric was donated by Quilt Country in Lewisville.

CCA is not the first organization Cantu has worked at, and this isn’t the first time she’s worked with Fashion Design teacher Kim Watson on a project. The duo worked together for 15 years in Irving ISD. Cantu and Watson felt like this was a good chance to work together again.

Last year, CCA ordered Christmas stockings for the families they serve during the holiday season, but were unhappy with the results.

“They were commercially made. When I saw the quality I thought, ‘Oh, we can do better than that,’” Cantu said.

The contents of each stocking are different. Last year, they were made with the recipients’ ages in mind, and the same approach was taken this year. Toys will be included for younger kids, while teenagers may get gift cards or other small gifts.

At the time of reporting, over 600 stockings were already made and delivered to CCA, which has a goal of delivering 1,650. In addition to getting stockings, the families can go to the food pantry to pick out meals, books and a devotional.

CCA also has giving trees in malls, where people can donate money to go towards those supported by them.