A Small Gift for a Big Heart

Hey! Because of a very traumatic background, one of my 8th grade students now lives with her grandparents, and today she shared with me what she got for Christmas this year: a can of pineapples. At first, I laughed because I thought she was joking, but she showed me a picture and told me with a smile that it really was all she received. Meanwhile, she saw her cousins unwrap hundreds and hundreds of dollars' worth of gifts in front of her.

As she shared her story, both of us started tearing up. She told me, “It’s okay because I still have to be grateful for what I have!” When I asked what she would want for Christmas if she could have anything, she said UGG slippers. The soles of the ones she has are completely worn out, and she’s basically walking on the bare ground.

I want to surprise her by getting her a new pair, but I need a little help to make it happen because teachers get paid in jolly ranchers. The slippers cost $120, and I’ll cover what I have to, but if anyone can chip in, even just a few dollars, it would mean the world.

Thank you so much for helping this kind, precious soul of a kid :)