December 6, 2000
Stuffed animals deliver smiles
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
With more than 400 stuffed animals to distribute in just two hours, Santa was hopping Monday morning.
Donated by members of the seventh-grade at Traverse City East Junior High, the stuffed animals brought a dose of holiday cheer to residents of Birchwood and Tendercare nursing homes. Five seventh-grade student council members served as elves-in-training, helping Santa give out the stuffed bears, bunnies and dogs; enjoying the thousand-watt smiles they brought to residents' faces.
"It is really nice to see how much they love these stuffed animals," said Mischa Reed, a student masquerading as an elf. "It's really cute. We went into some rooms and people had the stuffed animals from last year."
As Santa and the elves went from room to room, residents hugged, smiled and thanked them for their gifts. A few cried, amazed that the animals were theirs to keep. Two residents who had been missed during the distribution came zooming up as Santa and the students prepared to leave, eager to take a new companion back to their room.
"This really brightens their day and shows them that people in the community care about them," said Kelly Cady, activities director at Tendercare. "The schools do a great job of encouraging kids to come in. I had a group of kids last year who came in and played cards or read mail to residents."
This is the fourth year that seventh-grade students at EJH have collected stuffed animals for donation. They make spreading a little good cheer a class-wide pursuit, with nearly all students participating. Led by teacher Nancy Fitzpatrick, students began gathering stuffed animals two weeks ago.
What began as a trickle turned into a flood as hundreds of stuffed animals eventually poured in, some students bringing in dozens of them at a time. Generosity came in many forms as one student told her teacher she was donating her very favorite stuffed animal. Other students, reluctant to give up favorites from their younger days, came up with other solutions to get the job done.
"My dad went to his work and asked for donations," said Kellem Swift-Godzisz. "I brought in 50."
Students took shifts checking in the donations each morning, sorting and storing the animals. They helped with any minor repairs or cleaning to get the stuffed animals ready for giving.
But what the students who played elves will remember most about the project is the smiles they brought to the faces of people they met. They can think of one lady who was so excited by their visit she was jumping up and down or of others who cried at their thoughtfulness.
"I think it is nice how you're giving it to them and they get so excited," said Ryan Asava. "They really appreciate it."
And teacher Fitzpatrick couldn't be more proud of the students, some of whom saw their donation and visit as just the beginning.
"Now they are trying to think of more they can do for them," she said. "One women asked us if the kids could come back and read to the residents. We'll have to see."