ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – It was a day full of holiday magic at A Gift for Teaching as the nonprofit hosted its annual Grant A Wish event, transforming its store into a winter wonderland of toys and games.
Normally focused on providing free school supplies to teachers and students, the organization put away the pencils and papers to give three lucky students the chance to shop for holiday gifts in a one-of-a-kind way.
The event featured a five-minute shopping spree, where the students could fill their carts with anything they wanted.
But there was a catch: the toys weren’t just for themselves. Many students used the opportunity to pick up presents for their siblings, parents, and other family members.
“It’s amazing to see their faces light up as they pick out toys—not just for themselves, but for the people they love,” said Bridgett Ellis, News 6 anchor and event emcee. “This is what the holidays are all about — spreading joy and thinking of others.”
The energy in the room was contagious as students raced through the aisles, grabbing dolls, board games, action figures, and more. For third grader Tamsin, she did not only get gifts for herself but her family.
“Yeah, I got it for like my classmates, my brother,” said Tamsin. “I tried to give something to my teacher, so she gives to her daughter, but she didn’t want it.”
Tamsin’s teacher, Ms. Ankerson says although Tasmin’s little she has a huge heart.
“I never heard her once say ‘me, me, me, me,’” Ankerson said. “It just shows what such a big heart she has for such a little kid, it’s incredible.”
The Grant A Wish event is part of the organization’s year-round commitment to helping students thrive in and out of the classroom. While their primary mission is to provide free supplies for teachers and students in need, this special holiday event shifts the focus to celebrating the spirit of giving.
As the students rolled out their carts filled to the brim, their smiles said it all: this was a day they’d never forget.
If you’d like to learn more about A Gift for Teaching and how you can support their mission, visit AGiftForTeaching.org. As the new year approaches, every dollar donated to A Gift for Teaching by Dec. 31, 2024, will be matched by generous funders, doubling the impact for teachers and students in the community.
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