LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On the last day before Christmas break, fourth graders spread joy to children in eastern Kentucky.
With the same excitement as climbing down the stairs on Christmas morning, students at Christian Academy do some last-minute gift wrapping.
“We are packaging gifts with all of our 4th grade students to send to Harlan, Kentucky for underprivileged children who do not have things for Christmas,” Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) President Erin Craft explained.
Each student picks out gifts for another child their own age.
“This is the last day before Christmas break, so there is even more excitement going on,” Craft added.
She says all the gifts will be handed over to Mountain Santa of Harlan County, who will hand deliver the presents throughout the second half of December.
“We actually have several students and families that are going down with them and they will get to distribute those gifts throughout Harlan themselves, so they will get to see exactly where these children live,” Craft continued.
The Mountain Santa tradition began in 1975 by the late Mike Howard. Howard, a former coal miner, saw his community suffer from high unemployment, so he began a campaign to collect and deliver gifts to families throughout eastern Kentucky. The tradition grew over the decades as gifts are now mailed to Wallins Creek from across the country. Mike Howard passed away in 2018. Howard’s own son Jordan carries on his father’s legacy each year with the help of his sister and dozens of volunteers.
Christian Academy PTO member Jessica Bertz moved to Kentucky four years ago. This is her first time volunteering during this gift wrapping blitz.
“It’s a really big blessing for them to understand that not everyone is as lucky and fortunate and as blessed as they are,” Bertz said of the students.
Demonstrating the joy of giving during the holiday season.