by Christina Ritchie Rogers

Lots of local children will wake up to Christmas presents Saturday, thanks to the efforts of Cornelius Elementary students. They collected more than 200 toys to the Salvation Army, which will distribute them to families this week.

“The students get emotional about it,” Student Council Advisor James Wideman said. “Some of these kids know kids they think wont get anything for Christmas,” he said.



Members of the student council organized the toy drive with Wideman’s guidance.

“We like the concept of giving toys to children that don’t have any,” Student Council President Jack Galida, a fifth-grader, said. The toy drive is the second of six community outreach events the council undertakes annually.

While the rest of their classmates kicked off holiday parties in the classrooms, fourth-graders Peyton Lynch, Luke Kucko, Ciera Gillespie and Jadon Lane, along with Jack and Wideman, gathered in the office to load the toys into bags for transport to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Bureau in Charlotte.

Dozens of stuffed animals, Barbie dolls, Lego sets, games and figurines stuffed four big bags destined for needy children.

“You can’t donate electronics,” fourth-grade student council member Luke Kucko said, “because if they don’t have houses, they can’t charge them.”

The Salvation Army began distributing gifts Thursday, Dec. 16, driver Edison Towe said, and will continue delivering through Wednesday, Dec. 22. They encourage parents to pick up the toys, he said, so that the children can be surprised Christmas morning.