As many of you know, I teach in a very underprivileged area. The local Elks club likes to donate their time and money to our school as well. This year they said that each teacher could choose one student from their class to take on a shopping spree at JCPennys. They gave each of us an $80 gift card to spend and JCPennys gave us the best sale deals that they had in the last 30 days (including Black Friday). How amazing is that?
I chose a little girl from my class, A. A. was in my class last year too and I held her back. She has grown by leaps and bounds this year and she melts my heart every day. I can't really write about her home life but know that she is VERY deserving of any extra love or attention. So it was a no-brainer that I chose her.
The students met at school at 5:45am on Saturday and we met them at the mall at 6:30am. We were paired up with either members from the Elks Club or the American Legion. Once the doors opened we RAN to the shoe section. A. chose "fancy sketchers" that lit up when she walked. She never thought she would own such pretty shoes. We also got her a new jacket, comfy pants, jeans, a sweater, a long sleeve top, new jammies, underwear, and socks.
After the shopping was through we all went back to the Elks club where they had a room all set up for the kids. The kids colored pictures first, then ate lunch, and got goodie bags. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived! Each child was able to sit on Santa's lap and got one present each. THEY WERE SOOOOOOOOO THRILLED! Many of these children won't get a Christmas morning with presents, so this was so magical for them. All of us teachers had tears in our eyes.
This was a day I will never forget!
6 comments:
WOW...how sweet of the Elks Club and everyone else that helped out. Sounds like you teach in an area just like I did...very low economic and many disadvantaged children. So glad that they could have a Christmas!
Oh how sweet! I know she had the best time!
This is so awesome of you guys to do! I literally got tears in my eyes, I wish I could help every single child out there who's in this position. There's nothing more fulfilling than helping a kid in need. You're such a great teacher Mandy!
This is so sweet!! I would have been crying all day at the giving...how wonderful to be able to give this to your students.
I LOVE this...so touching...totally teary eyed now...how special, Mandy! Poor things...breaks my heart that some kids don't get a Christmas...
I love you, and love the way you give love to your school children. They are blessed to have you as their teacher!
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