“Of course the racial ethnic schools and colleges you support through the Christmas Joy Offering change individual lives,” Will Chavez affirms. “After all, Menaul School literally saved my life. But they do so much more—their impact changes whole families and communities.”

“When my family moved to Denver, we lived in a poor neighborhood dominated by gangs,” Will Chavez recalls. Caught between rival gangs, he and his brother lived under constant threat. When his brother was stabbed by gang members, his parents decided he needed to get away and sent him to Menaul. There for the first time, he encountered teachers who helped him refocus. “Suddenly there were people telling me I had skills and talents and expecting me to use them. I learned a great deal of knowledge, but mostly they taught me how to gain knowledge, and they helped solidify the moral foundations on which to make decisions. I can’t put a price tag on those gifts.”

The skills as a scientist and engineer that Will began to learn at Menaul opened many doors. But thanks to that moral foundation, he has spent his career serving the larger community, working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Though much of his work has been in New Mexico, he has studied and worked in countries around the world from Mexico to China.

His daughter Emiko was the eighteenth member of their family to attend Menaul over the past seventy-five years. A 2009 graduate, she plans to study medicine, something she’s almost always wanted to do. “While traveling with my family, I noticed the lack of basic medical services in several foreign countries. For that reason, according to a time capsule letter I wrote myself in the second grade, I decided to study medicine.” Her grandmother and several aunts were “herbalistas,” so her attraction to the healing arts comes naturally, but it was also nurtured by her time at Menaul. “They gave me the foundation that I’ll need, not only with strong math and science courses but also in terms of my Christian values. They ask their students to live their motto, ‘Sea la luz—be the light.’” Emiko hopes to practice in underserved parts of rural New Mexico, but eventually to go to a place like Guatemala where she believes her skills could make the most difference.

“As a product of what these schools have done to change lives, I can’t stress strongly enough the difference they make,” Will says quietly. “I believe that had I not gone there, my life would very likely have ended tragically. Instead, because of the generosity of Presbyterians to the Christmas Joy Offering and because of the teachers and volunteers who gave of their lives to help others at those schools, I’ve been able to have a positive impact on my family and community.”

Now is the time you can help future Wills and Emikos. When you give to the Christmas Joy Offering, half of your gift helps the Board of Pensions assist those who have spent their lives in service to the church. The other half helps students at the racial ethnic schools and colleges find their own way to be the light. Please give generously.

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