TONAWANDA, N.Y. — At Kenmore Junior Senior High School, an empty room has been transformed into a magical space for the holidays. Santa’s Workshop is bringing smiles and cheer to students.
“Everybody deserves to feel loved and appreciated with a gift,” said student Hannah Stump.
This special initiative allows children to experience the joy of choosing gifts for their loved ones, an experience that teacher Jennifer MacDonald holds close to her heart.
"I went to Fletcher Elementary and teachers would take us to a room where we could select gifts off of tables. There was nothing more exciting than to be like, I have a gift for my mom for Mother's Day. It stuck with me. Then, when I became a teacher, I decided to do this with students. It went throughout the entire school where people want to help. They want these kids to feel good about themselves and giving to others. We try to promote kindness and paying it forward," MacDonald said.
For students like Hannah Stump, the tradition of giving has become a meaningful part of life.
“She talks about helping people all the time, so this is just who she is, and that’s her character,” Matt Lavigne said. He is a teacher at Kenmore Junior/Senior High School and Hannah's advisor.
As part of her community project, Stump helps school’s holiday tradition continue.
“When I see the kids get their gifts and they come up and I wrap them, they’re always like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna get this for my mom, I’m gonna get this for my dad, I’m gonna get this for my cousin.’ It just warms my heart. It makes me happy to see them all smile and excited for Christmas,” Stump said.
Students can pick out several gifts for free. It's all thanks to donations from the community.
“Makes me feel really happy because I don’t have to pay for anything and I have a lot of family, so it’s really helpful,” student Isabel said.
Beyond the physical presents, the most significant gift might just be the joy that Santa's workshop brings.
“It’s a heartwarming thing. This, to me, is Christmas. This is the holiday season, and this is better than anything,” MacDonald said.
Students are still allowed to shop at Santa's Workshop this week.