For the 20th year, Secret Santa has helped make the holidays brighter for 100 Springfield Schools children and their families in need.
On December 7, 25 Cheer Devils from Springfield High School gathered for the “Secret Santa Shoppe,” at Holland Free Methodist Church in Holland.
With gifts in hand, the students and adult volunteers went to work, wrapping and tagging 800 gifts for children ages birth to 10.
An activity room at the church overflowed with ribbons, paper and tape strewn on the floor as the Cheer Devil elves wrapped presents in less than two hours. When the gifts were wrapped, students placed them in large bags for distribution to each child before the holiday.
Top, the “elves’ are all smiles after completing their task, Above left, Arija Grana and Jessica Mason enjoy gift wrapping toys for children. Above right, Anna Mack meticulously wraps a present with help from Emma Lyons.
This year marks the last one for Secret Santa, an area resident who, with family support, has shopped yearround to find toys and other items for young children.
Secret Santa is retiring but SHS students who have participated over the years plan to keep the spirit of the Secret Santa Shoppe alive through personal and professional contributions.
