Helping Santa Program receives student-led donation

The Russellville Fire Department’s annual Helping Santa Program received some extra help this year before distribution beginning Dec. 19.

Russellville Elementary School lent a hand this year, holding a special project to collect and donate toys to the program. According to assistant principal Paula Young, the students had two weeks to collect the toys, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8.

“Just looking at the box (of toys) made me excited. They did such a good job,” Young said.

Teacher Melissa Greenhill said it was student council member Madi Willis who came up with the idea to collect toys for children’s Christmas gifts.

“We do a project every month, and this is what they decided to do this time,” Greenhill said.

She spoke with Principal Kristie Ezell, and they decided the best option would be to donate the toys to RFD’s Helping Santa Program so they would go toward helping the community.

Greenhill and Young agreed there was a great response in the number of toys donated, especially since it was mostly student-driven. The large box RFD provided was overflowing, and a separate bag was required to hold the rest that wouldn’t fit in the box.

Child Nutrition Program employees for Russellville City Schools also donated toys to the Helping Santa Program. According to Elaine Vaughn, program director, the CNP employees decided years ago that they would bring toys for children instead of exchanging gifts at their annual Christmas party.

“They have the opportunity to feed these children all school year, and they realize so many of the
children in Russellville need extra help, especially during the holiday season,” Vaughn said.

The RFD thanked everyone for their donations and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.