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Students at West Broad Elementary Learn the True Meaning of Giving
December 9, 2021 -- Every December for two weeks, the library at West Broad Elementary School turns into a holiday gift shop. There are at least a dozen tables chocked full of new or gently used home decor, books, toys, health and beauty aids, and houseware items. The tops of books shelves are also covered with goods and underneath the plastic table clothes, even more items -- all donated from the community.
“We collect items during the entire school year for our holiday gift shop,” said Cindy Leonard, the Community Liaison for West Broad Elementary School. “Our staff, area churches, and community partners donate thousands of items so our families can have gifts during the holidays.”
Every student at West Broad gets to shop at the holiday store for their families. One first grader, Manny, had quite a long list, but that doesn’t matter; the more than merrier.
“I have three brothers and two sisters, plus mom and dad,” said Manny. “I got my mom a pillow because she needs to sleep.”
Manny also picked out a Disney blanket for his brothers, two dolls plus a plastic toy changing table for his sisters, and some cologne for his dad. Manny giggled out loud when his teacher, Kara Deckelman, not only had to help the little guy carry all his gifts back to the classroom, but asked how he was going to get all of them on the school bus.
“I guess I will have to call Manny’s family to see if they can come by the school to pick up the gifts,” said First grade teacher Kara Deckelman.
Collecting and organizing the holiday store is a labor of love at West Broad Elementary. “We have thousands of gently used items for parents and children,” said Leonard. “It’s amazing to see how excited the students get when they pick out something for their loved one.”
Kara Deckleman didn’t miss the opportunity during the shopping trip to teach her students a valuable lesson about giving and receiving.
“I’m so proud of each one of you,” said Deckleman. “It’s really hard to go shopping and not get something for yourself, but you did it. Each one of you learned the real meaning of this season where we give and think of others.”