By Jenna Jarrah
Every Christmas Allison Seward gets into the holiday spirit by adorning her Woodland Hills home with decorations that include more than 100 Christmas trees, and lights, ornaments, inflatables and wreaths. As part of the celebration she hosts two huge Christmas dinners at her home, inviting 100 guests to each dinner.
The tradition is by no means a one-woman job. Three students from Calabasas High School, David Dabach, Jordan Attar, and Alberto Marquez, help with the heavy lifting, and put her holiday vision together.
“They’re wonderful and enthusiastic,” Seward said. “They’ve always shown up happy to help.”
In exchange for her work preparing her house and the Christmas dinners, Seward asks each of her 200 guests one thing: bring cat supplies, such as dry and canned food, treats, toys, litter, and cleaning supplies to donate to the Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals (VIVA) in Lompoc, California.
VIVA is a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter that provides care for abandoned animals. It houses between 100 and 150 cats, and runs foster and adoption programs and manages initiatives like Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats, along with other animal welfare services.
The dinners, which have been taking place for more than 10 years, supply three to six months of food and cleaning supplies for the cats at the shelter.
Dabach, Attar, and Marquez, all seniors at Calabasas High School, were introduced to Seward four years ago during their community service work with the National League of Young Men.
“When we first went four years ago, we had no idea what we were getting into. But we wanted to come back,” said Attar, who is the protocol chair of National League of Young Men, and has previously served as the philanthropy chair and a photographer of the organization.
The setup at Seward’s home, takes about 25 hours to complete, involves unloading more than 100 trees and other decorations from Seward’s shed, carrying the trees and decorations to different parts of the house and yard, organizing and arranging the parts together, and adding finishing touches like lights and ornaments.
“When we’re done, it’s like a Christmas museum,” said Marquez, who serves as philanthropy chair for National League of Young Men and helps find organizations where National League of Young Men members can volunteer and provide community service.
National League of Young Men (NLYM) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 in Newport Beach that offers ways for high school students and their mothers to participate in leadership and community service opportunities, and cultural and social education programs.
The organization has 12 chapters across Los Angeles, and 23 nationwide. As a part of their membership requirements, young men must attend one cultural event such as a school play or concert, complete 10 philanthropy hours, and 8 “league” hours each year.
League hours are completed during monthly meetings when students from sophomore to senior comes together to discuss their philanthropy work. League meetings feature guest speakers who provide them with career insights.
“The networking from the NLYM is amazing, and it’s been really helpful. The connections I’ve made have been great,” said Marquez, who plans to study engineering in college.
Seward said, “The National League of Young Men is an incredible organization. It’s been such a great resource for me.”
The National League of Young Men West Valley chapter includes five San Fernando Valley high schools, which gives students the opportunity to network with peers across school districts and neighborhoods.
“This program has taught me how to get out of my own way, and step out of my comfort zone, said Dabach, who was introduced to the program by Attar and Marquez. “That has given me confidence to speak to new people, speak publicly, and interact more. A lot of the people I’m close with now go to different high schools. I would have never met them if it wasn’t for this program.”
Attar added, “Being a part of this community of young men has been an amazing experience for me and I feel like I am with a group of individuals who are high achievers. It makes me want to drive for more and I love the connections I am gaining from everybody in the organization.”
Their previous philanthropic work includes service with nonprofits Angel City Sports, Hope the Mission, and Operation Gratitude.
Mothers participate by attending “mother meetings” and are required to serve on a league committee. They also support their sons in meeting their membership requirements.
“Their participation in NLYM teaches them how to be a member of the community, how to give back, and how to have a positive presence in the community,” said Marni Attar, whose younger son Gavin also participates in the program.
David Dabach’s mother Diana Dabach said, “I know that David’s going to be more successful in the world with the tools he’s learned over the years with this organization.”
The three seniors have an impressive resume of philanthropic service working with underserved people, and through their work with Seward, they’ve had the opportunity to work with animals.
“A lot of the shelters are kill shelters,” said David Dabach. “It’s nice to make awareness and give other animals a second chance. You’re not only giving humans a chance to interact but you’re giving animals a second chance at life.”
The young men, Dabach, Attar, and Marquez, were guests at Seward’s dinner last year. They hope to attend again this year in December.
“I’m so grateful I got to know these boys over these four years, watch them grow and develop into the young men they are now, and hear about their college process and their goals for the future,” Seward said.
Dabach, Attar, and Marquez will attend college in fall of 2026. Dabach hopes to study business at USC as a part of their World Bachelor in Business cohort. Attar wants to study real estate at a business school, and Marquez plans to study engineering at a university in the California State University system.