Christmas comes early for King Elementary students

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Jolly Old St. Nick made some time to visit with the good boys and girls at King Elementary School in Southwest Fresno. One by one, they came to the library, which was transformed into a toy wonderland.

"When we talk about Christmas and the holiday season, they'll tell me Santa doesn't come to my house, they'll me I don't have Christmas, we don't have a tree, my mom says it's not going to happen, and that's just not OK with me. I think they need to feel the warmth and love that Santa can give," said Monica Baker, a King Elementary School teacher.

Baker started the event four years ago with the help of local organizations. This year, her daughter Grace took on a bigger role. She held a toy drive at St. Anthony's with the help of her friends.

"As we got closer and closer we kept coming on the intercom saying we need toys and we ended up getting over 100 over our goal," said Grace Baker, a St. Anthony's student.

The students were able to collect more than 600 toys for the children at King Elementary. Student volunteers helped each kid pick out a gift they wanted to take home. Grace says her fellow classmates learned a valuable lesson about being in the holiday spirit.

"We take so many things for granted and these kids barely get anything, so it's really special that we give them something," she said.

Each student from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade had a chance to visit Santa and pick that perfect present.

For little Abbreah it was an easy choice. She couldn't wait to take a Hello Kitty stationary kit home and draw this winter break.

And fellow teachers hope it's one gift these kids will remember.

"So if we can give them that one thing to love, that one stability in their house, just something to hold onto, then it's worth every ounce of effort," Monica Baker said.