Wanted for Christmas: “I Need a Blanket and I Need Food to Eat…”

Two years ago, my sister, Mara, who is a second grade teacher at a very impoverished school outside of Denver, had her students write a letter to Santa Claus.  She had never done this before, and was expecting typical requests from eight year-olds.  The letters were anything but typical- they were heartbreaking.  She sent an e-mail to her family and friends with some of the requests, asking if there was any way we could help out her students. 

The request that touched me the most was from a little boy who only asked for “socks with no holes in them.”  I posted Mara’s request on my blog, and the response was overwhelming.  Each child in Mara’s class received an item they desperately needed, like new socks.  We were also able to give every child a new toy, game, or book. 

Last year a girl in Mara’s class told Santa in her letter, that she didn’t need anything, but her sister needed a coat.  This year, the letters are just as touching, and some are just heartbreaking. For three years now, when I read these letters to Santa from these young kids, it puts everything in perspective for me.  It also makes me sad these children know what it is like to be cold and hungry. 

Here are some of the items the children this year in Mara’s class have asked Santa for (these are unedited):

“…I need a blanket and I need food to eat because I have NO blankest becauze my mom doesnt have money.”

“…the winter is so cold and I need boots.  I’m wearing my grandpas shoze and hes feet are too big so I trip.  I also need soks because I can’t find any.” 

“…I need a blanket because I sleep on the ground.  Something els I need Is Pillows becaues I need them so the floor wont hurt my neck.”

“..I Need a blancit cos i am cold at nit. I need to go to shcol. I want a fotbal cos i like fotbals.”

Here is an excerpt from Mara’s note, and I agree with her wholeheartedly:

The highlight of my  past two holiday seasons has been the amazing effort you all have shown in taking care of my kiddos.  I hope the pictures from the last two years have assured you how much your gifts make a difference…even for one day.  I’m here to tell you that all of us together can make a difference for these kids.  They make me smile and laugh everyday with their unbreakable spirit and heart and I assure you that even a pair of gloves and a book from a stranger matters to a 8 year old.  They get a sparkle in their eyes.  It’s brought me to tears more than once.

 Here are the details if you can help:

 We’ll take anything EXCEPT cash/checks.  Gift cards to TARGET would be the most helpful because we could trade them in for gifts.  If you’d really like to donate books and be sure that’s where your gift was going, you can make your check out to SCHOLASTIC BOOKS and I will be sure to use it for that.  We’d also love any chapter books, school supplies, etc.  I will make sure every child in my class will get something new this Christmas.  Thank you so much!
Please send what you can to:
 
Alsup Elementary School
c/o Mara Corzine
7101 Birch Street
Commerce City, CO  80022

If you would like to see how much these gifts mean to these kids, you can see pictures from 2008 here. 

I have also posted my sister’s e-mail in its entirety, with more letters from the kids on A Mama’s Blog Fan page on Facebook.  

Thank you for your help!