Chaffey's Panther Care Delivers Holiday Cheer to In-Need Families

Chaffey College’s Panthers became elves for the annual gift drive Dec. 9, distributing groceries, wrapped gifts and other holiday cheer at the Rancho Cucamonga campus.

It’s a tradition that normally takes place in drive-thru format, but this year the Panther Care Program opted for a more personal touch with a buffet lunch, wrapped board games for each child and a pantry bag. The event benefitted 80 students from the Chino, Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga campuses.

“This is beautiful,” said Talaia De La Cruz. “As soon as I got the email about this event, I signed up.”

Members of the campus community spent a day wrapping 160 board games including Monopoly, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Scrabble, chess and more. Chaffey’s retired employee organization, the Chaffeyans, gave $200 to go toward presents, and the Chaffey College Faculty Association provided additional gifts for children. The holiday spirit extended to the surrounding community too, with Los Osos High School faculty donating 1,500 canned goods and Cucamonga Valley Water District donating 600 to the pantry.

The influx of donations came at a great time, said executive director of student life, equity and engagement.

“Groceries are very expensive and the instability with Cal Fresh is still lingering, so we wanted to provide a big bag of groceries,” Rodriguez said.

For Jaqueline Pinales, the event came at a good time, because her family has faced major struggles in 2025.

Her husband, Sean Witte, was struck by a drunk driver in March, leaving him in a coma for a month. The family has dealt with a stack of medical bills and other expenses. And because Witte is the sole provider for Pinales and their three children, she knew the holidays would be difficult.

But Chaffey’s Panther Care Program and holiday gift drive helped make her season a bit brighter.

“It does help out,” she said. “It helps us provide a little something extra for the kids.”