Small schools usually have difficulty challenging larger schools in competitions. Even though Woodland Adventist Christian School only has 14 students, they were not only able to compete, but they won a countywide food drive contest during the 2006 holiday season. Four-hundred twenty schools participated in the annual Kids Can food drive, sponsored by KCRA 3, a local television station in Yolo County. Woodland's 14 students were able to collect a total of 1,445 pounds of non-perishable food, which was more food per student than the other 9,969 students that took part in the contest. "I felt proud and very happy to have a chance to participate," said Melinda Villar, a third grade student.

For almost two months, the students at Woodland collected the food by going door-to-door throughout their community. The students put their math skills to use counting all the cans and boxes, and then multiplying the ever-increasing piles of food. "I enjoyed knocking on doors, asking for cans, because I met new people and made new friends," said fifth-grader Bianca Trejo.

With their first place finish, the students at Woodland received special recognition. They were invited to take a tour of the Yolo County food bank. The school was also given a $1,000 gift certificate for Costco. Additionally, they were interviewed on KCRA 3. "The greatest reward is that we were able to give back to the community that supports us," said Val Kampf, principal and only teacher at Woodland school. "It is fun to do and be rewarded, but we would still do it even if there was no prize."

Woodland first became involved with KCRA's food drive in 2004. The students placed second in the 2004 contest, though it was limited to the local county of the participating school and there was no prize money involved. Woodland also won second place in 2005, for which they received a $500 Costco certificate. They plan to use this year's Costco prize for school supplies, groceries for their hot lunch program, and other special things they would not be able to do otherwise.

The Kids Can drive is not the only thing that the students at Woodland do to help others. In addition to their annual food collecting, they are participating in a math-a-thon to help raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Through these activities Kampf wants to instill a spiritual and social responsibility in her students that will last longer than the excitement of a first place finish or an appearance on television. "There are a lot of needy people in the world, and I want my students to realize the opportunities to help when their paths cross," said Kampf. "I continue to encourage my students to do it in as many ways as they can."