Hope and beauty were the two words that described Montessor Center School Wednesday as just under 300 students donated items to Afghan orphans during the peace and goodwill assembly on the Goleta campus.

"This is an absolute thing of beauty," Nelda Nutter, head of the school, told students, teachers and others who formed a huge circle on the grass. "Every one of you have peace within you."

The event got started with the children, ages 2-12, all coming out of their classrooms while John Lennon's "Imagine" wafted softly in the air. Some held grocery bags filled with shoes, clothing and pajamas; some clutched teddy bears and fuzzy bunnies; and others held Crayola Crayons, pencils, paper, first aid kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste and more - items that will make their way to orphans in Afghanistan by means of Wafia Education and Training Center for Orphans (WETCO). As the children took the field, each gave up, orplaced an item or items on clear tarps.

Diana Haskins who is associated with WETCO, was present at Wednesday's ceremony along with WETCO founder Soroya Hakim. Mrs. Haskins is also involved with a school orphanage in Kabul called the House of Flowers, and has made numerous trips to Kabul delivering money as well as supplies for the children.

Nutter spoke about peace, and the event closed with the circle of children singing "This Little Light of Mine" complete with hand motions.

Flags from various countries were on display as well as picures of WETCO students. All students who participated were encouraged to look at the photos.