Christmas for Kiddos

 Hi friends!

As you may or may not know, my life has been consumed by 30 children. I have 22 first graders in my homeroom class, and 8 students from grades 2-4 in my reading group. Some of them are wild at times. Some of them struggle with figuring out which letter is d and which is b (it's tough!). Some of them draw me pictures and tell me that they love me. Some call me Mom! Some of them need some extra love and confidence and secret handshakes to get them started on their day. Some of them drive me CRAZY!

But in the end, I DO love all of them.

All of them are also living below the poverty line. 100% of my students receive free and reduced lunch, which means their family income qualifies them for free school lunches every day. Not all of them get good meals every day or have the most supportive, loving households to go home to. 

In this holiday season, they are exposed to tons of ads and commercials advertising Xboxes, play stations, iPads, iPhones, etc. Other nifty gadgets! These are all things that they want on their Christmas list. The sad truth is that their expectations may not be met because of their circumstances. Many of the parents I speak to work multiple jobs to keep the money coming.

So... in turn, I'm asking the most supportive and loving people I know (you guys) to help me out. This holiday season, I want to give each student something they can look forward to opening on Christmas morning. I can't do it alone. I'm aiming to raise $10-$15 per student to buy one present for each of them. Think of how THRILLED they will be, to find out that they have a person thinking of them from far away! You will be their Santa Clause. (:

I really want these kids to get something great and magical. They don't know anything outside of their circumstances and they deserve much more! These kids are bright and interested and have goals and dreams. And in the end, despite where they live and what they go home to, don't they deserve a little holiday surprise?

Anything will help! Prepare to get a "Thank You" card from a student if you do not donate anonymously. (: