Hundreds of children at a school in central Edmonton got some holiday cheer on Thursday – a surprise visit from Saint Nick and a present to go with it.
Spirit of Christmas is an organization that goes to different schools in Edmonton every holiday season to provide students with a special Christmas memory. Students at the chosen schools are normally at-risk, come from immigrant families or are socially vulnerable.
“To them, this may be the only Christmas some of them have,” co-creator Stephen Kasowski said.
His wife Debra founded the organization after identifying what she sees as a local need to ensure every child receives a Christmas present.
“It’s emotional for a lot of people. A lot of people don’t realize the poverty that’s in Edmonton. A lot of these kids – with the refugees that come, families now struggling in Alberta – you can see the poverty here in Edmonton,” Stephen said.
Creator Debra Kasowski said the event epitomizes the spirit of the holiday season.
“When they open those gifts, their eyes light up like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” she said.
“No matter what is going on in a person’s life, there are people who need our help. What I want everybody to remember is just always believe in the spirit of Christmas.”
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The organization spent Thursday at John A. McDougall Elementary School, where principal Corene Zmurchik said the need is huge.
“I think without today’s event, many of those children wouldn’t be experiencing the kind of Christmas many of us do,” she said.
Zmurchik cited examples such as a child who was worried his family wouldn’t have enough food over the Christmas break and a parent who recently lost his job and was worried he wouldn’t be able to give his children a Christmas experience.
“This is a hard time for many of our families. Many families are stressed and concerned about the holiday season and providing their children with a wonderful Christmas,” she said, adding the Spirit of Christmas event gives the children a memory and experience they can carry with them.
“It was just so overwhelming and just so heartwarming to know our students would be able to have a wonderful experience.”
The day started out with a pancake and fruit breakfast for the children, who were told to wear pyjamas to school as a way to mimic the Christmas morning experience.
Then all 350 students at the school, who range in age from two-and-a-half to 12 years old, filed into the gym where they were serenaded by volunteers who sang Christmas carols.
Santa and Mrs. Claus then entered the gym and cheers erupted. Some young children ran towards Ol’ Saint Nick for a hug, with many giving him high fives and jumping up and down with excitement.
There was pandemonium when Santa’s helpers, who were made up of friends, family members and volunteers from the community, unveiled a stack of toys for the children.
Each child received a shoebox filled with staple items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, socks and mitts along with other fun presents like toys and art supplies.
Michael Civin, 8, is in Grade 3 and was beside himself that he got a visit from Santa.
“I got super excited and so happy. Christmas is my favourite time of the year,” he said.
He was not alone in his excitement. Another boy said simply, “I love it all.”
“If I knew a way to give [Santa] a present, I would.”
This is the ninth year the program has been held in an Edmonton school. Schools become eligible after a referral by a principal.
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