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Nearly 200 children enjoy ‘Stuff Your Stocking’ event
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FAIRFIELD – A teacher at Washington Elementary School in Fairfield made Christmas wishes come true for a few hundred students earlier this month.
Claire Christensen is a K-1 special needs teacher at the school, and for the second year in a row organized a “Stuff Your Stocking” event for youngsters where they received toys, gifts and sweets from generous donors. The event was held on Dec. 10 in the Fairfield High School Commons, where 14 participating businesses set up a booth to distribute goodies to children, stuffing the stockings they received from Ottumwa Radio.
Christensen said she was thrilled with the turnout, which was nearly 200 kids. That’s double the number of children who came last year. Christensen got the idea to do a “Stuff Your Stocking” last year while visiting a Trunk or Treat event at Cardinal. With just a month to plan the event, Christensen was able to get more than a dozen businesses to donate trinkets and goodies.
This time around, Christensen had more time to prepare, and started planning for the event around Halloween.
“This year, we had a lot more stuff to give out, and the quality of stuff also went up,” she said. “Two or three businesses gave out hats, gloves, and socks, and the toys were of better quality. It was the perfect amount of stuff, so each child’s stocking was literally stuffed. It was so cute to see that.”
The event was open to any student in Fairfield and the surrounding community. Christensen said a few homeschooled students came. She said it was intended for students through fourth grade, but they didn’t turn anyone away. Some students came with their older siblings in middle school, and they received stockings, too.
Santa was there to greet students, and Christensen received support from Washington Elementary Principal Tina Townsend, other school employees, class associates, and local volunteers. Christensen said she hopes this will be an annual event, and wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the businesses and supporters who made it a success.
The businesses that donated to the event were:
- Ottumwa Radio
- Agri-Industrial Plastics
- Libertyville Savings Bank
- Schaus Vorhies Contracting
- Really Great Reading
- Smith Auto Parts
- Scarlet & Co
- Myers Automotive
- Axis Vision
- Dexter Laundry, Inc.
- Fairfield Dental Clinic
- Fairfield Hy-Vee
- Little Superheroes
- Midwest One Bank
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
