Santa Makes a Quick Stop to Help Bishop Feehan Elves

The cafeteria of was transformed into a wonderland of toys from the smallest infant to the teen boys and girls. The toys were piled high and covering every last spot of table and often floor space waiting to be chosen to head home to some good boys and girls. The toys arrived by a human toy train that was formed after the last lunch period as the students linked the basement of both buildings to transport and organize all the toys.

Approximately 600 students show up to help Tuesday afternoon. Their jobs were divided up into guides, babysitters, wrappers and clerks. With two guides per shopper they became personal shopping assistants to carry packages and assist each shopper.

The shoppers would then have their hands free to find what they needed from the helpful clerks behind the stacks of toys. While the shoppers found plenty of treasures and had them wrapped up their children were entertained by students who were assigned to each child. They had plenty to keep the busy while the adults went shopping. The highlight was a chance to sit on Santa's lap and get their picture taken and get an early present from Santa. A very close second was the giant Wii set up for the kids to play on.

The families were invited to come with the help of the Saint Vincent dePaul Society. They issued approximately 225 families and divided them into two groups. Each family received a raffle ticket and when their number was called they chose one big ticket item ranging from bikes to ipods and then headed to the Santa Shop to collect the rest of their gifts. 

One women was delighted to have this opportunity to shop for her grandchildren, for on a fixed income this is very little left over for gifts. She had never been invited to this shopping experience before and was overwhelmed with the generosity of the school. Principal Bill Runey said that it was truly a team effort of the parents students and volunteers that enable them to give back in such a big way. 

Runney explained "the Saint Vincent dePaul Society collects names back in October and sends the lists of the number of children along to the school. They create giving trees with ages of the children that they have to fill requests for and then the gifts come rolling in."

The students feel blessed in more ways than they ever expect. Emily and Kelsea assisted a couple of families who had never received this kind of help before and were very grateful for the help given by the students. Jonathan and Brendan worked with families who were delighted to find some of their childrens special requests that they didn't think they would be able to fulfil this year.

Helen Folan had one grateful family make a comment to her that Christmas wouldn't have been possible with out this Santa Shop. Senior Meghan Gaughan said she always looks forward to this drive and used money she earned herself to buy the gifts she donated this year. She chose gifts for a teen girl as that is always an area that is needed.

According to Runey the gifts left over will be given to Attleboro Area Council of Churches and some local parishes to be distributed to those who did not receive any help this Christmas season.

Santa heard many request but his favorite comment came from one father whose daughter just wanted a stuffed toy from Build a Bear workshop and that is what Santa was giving to all the kids this year. It is good to make wishes come true.