Christmas morning should be filled with excitement, anticipation, and joy as children race to see what’s under the tree. For many children, this is their favorite time of year, as they anticipate Santa’s arrival and look forward to receiving new toys and clothing.
Unfortunately, many families in our area cannot afford to purchase presents for their children and pay their rent or utility bill. Thanks to generous donations from local businesses and community members, Haywood County Schools students in need will experience the joy of the holiday season.
For the past 30 years, the Haywood County Schools Foundation’s Sugar Plum Project has provided clothing and gifts to students in need during the holiday season. The Sugar Plum Project provides Christmas for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students enrolled in Haywood County Schools. Most of these children come from low-income families.
“The Sugar Plum Project is a great event that our community has embraced for the past three decades,” Jenny Wood Valliere, Haywood County Schools Foundation executive director, said. “Buying one child a gift is such a small way to make a huge difference in that child’s life.”
From November 22 through December 10, children’s names were available on trees at United Community Bank, HomeTrust Bank, Hometown Hardware, and Champion Credit Union. Generous community members picked out a name, bought items included on the child’s wish list, and returned it to the respective business on December 11. The Sugar Plum Project also accepted monetary donations to sponsor children.
This year, through monetary and gift donations, 95 students received an early Christmas on December 13 at a Christmas celebration at the old Hazelwood gym.
Students from the county’s eight elementary schools were treated to lunch, opened their gifts, and were then surprised with a visit from Santa. The children got the chance to talk with Santa and tell him about their Christmas lists.
“Christmas is my favorite day of the whole year,” Sarah, a kindergartner, excitedly said. “I’m so excited to tell Santa what I want for Christmas.”
Along with the Sugar Plum Project, Haywood County Schools has worked with several other local agencies to ensure all students have a memorable holiday season.
For nearly 50 years, employees at Evergreen Packaging have raised money to purchase clothing for students in need. The Santa Pals program provides clothing for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade at all 16 Haywood County Schools. This year, contributions from Evergreen employees, along with a donation from the company, totaled $65,000.
“The shopping day at K-mart is focused on clothing because unfortunately, there are many children in our area who don’t have the things that most of us consider basic necessities,” Thad McCracken, Santa Pals coordinator and retired Evergreen employee, said. “This time of year, it’s essential for children to have clothing to keep them warm.”
Cops and Kids brought students together with 50 law enforcement officers at Walmart. Police officers from Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde, Haywood County Sheriff’s officers, Highway Patrol, and Haywood County EMS all participated in the event. Through private, business, and community donations, 36 students from elementary through high school received presents from the Cops with Kids program.
“Of course we all love being able to support the local community and our children through the Cops with Kids program, but one of my favorite parts of the day is seeing how much fun the officers have with the kids,” Matt Shell, Haywood County Sheriff’s Officer sergeant and president of the Fraternal Order of Police – Haywood County Lodge 16, said. “One officer was riding a bicycle down the aisle.”
“The generosity of our community is so abundant, and the holiday season brings out the best in everyone,” Wood Valliere said. “Haywood County Schools is grateful for the donations of money, gifts, and time given to our students.”