Every student in the school  shopped for four gifts at the Colonial Elementary Holiday School Store. The event took place on Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 12-13. Thanks to $500 from the PTA and savvy shopping from volunteers, the event  organized into a wonderful occasion.

Linda Martin, the mother of principal Tammy Riggs shops yard sales, Goodwill– just about every where for the better part of the year for new, unused items. “We fill in gifts for Dad’s a lot with the PTA  money, like tool kits and candy filled mugs.” Though school shopping had taken place already one day, the room was still filled with valuable treasures. Martin uses her garage to store the items for the over 500 students that go to the school.

Out in the hallway volunteers had already wrapped 300 gifts for students. They waited for Mrs. Boardwine’s fourth grade class to come out with their load of gifts.

Pictured are Torri Lewis, Susan Hemsley, Tammy Riggs, Elisa Harris, Rikki West and Lori Fitzwater. Riggs said, “We have had the store for about 6 years now and it is a wonderful addition to our school.”

Martin explained, ” No one pays for the gifts  and all are included and make the selections for parents, grandparents. Watching the children select the gifts is special. Many thanks to all who volunteer to help. Well, I do it because it just makes my Christmas!’