Fresno Unified students participate in Be a Santa to a Senior program

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some of Fresno's older residents will get a visit from Santa this week, thanks to elves who go to school in Fresno Unified.

A few dozen student leaders from Edison, Duncan, and other schools put the finish touches on about 2,000 gifts -- like blankets, scarves, puzzles and stuffed animals. They got huge bags of gifts ready to go to load up in a sleigh a little later on.

Organizers say this group of kids performs regular acts of kindness, and they knew a lot of seniors do not necessarily have big families to share the holidays

Leslie Loewen said, "These kids, our heart just went out and said listen, one day we'll get old and we'll want someone to bring us joy and so we don't have a lot but we do what we can."

The Be a Santa to a Senior program is in its 12th year now.

They'll help Santa make early deliveries on Friday to 1,000 seniors who were identified as being alone for Christmas.