Faces of joy

Published 5:15 pm Monday, December 23, 2024

By Heath Harrison

South Point Christmas Project delivers to 20 children

SOUTH POINT — On Thursday, the community center in South Point was loud with the excited screams of 20 happy children.

And it has been about 20 years since this became an annual occurrence.

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Each year, honors students from South Point High School organize the Christmas Project, bringing a brighter holiday for children in need in the school district.

Kent Stewart, a teacher at the high school, has been involved with the project for 16 years, including serving as its head for many years.

He said the effort is a joint project by students in Mu Alpha Theta, Ro Kappa and the National Honor Society.

Children for the project are recommended by faculty at Burlington and South Point elementary schools she said.

“And we try to get families,” he said.

This was the case on Thursday, as, near the front of the room, twin sisters Skylar and Mae Napier eagerly awaited the arrival of Santa Claus, along with high school students Jaden Thompson and Rayleigh Edwards, who were paired with them and enjoying the pizza party.

After the meal was finished, the high school students led the children in a chant, as the door opened and Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, made his entrance, and bags of presents were brought in.

Each child was called to the front of the room and given a bag to carry back to their seat, as well as stockings full of items.

The children excitedly unwrapped the presents, which fulfilled the wish lists they had made for toys, as well as needed items, such as clothing.

Rylee West, a junior at the high school, had the front row seat for Santa, along with the boy she was paired with.

A member of Ro Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta, she is a junior at the school and in her first year of eligibility to take part in the project.

“It’s been great,” she said of her experience. “I love watching everyone be so excited.”

She noted that the boy she was with had asked for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys, which he was enjoying, chasing the other children with his plastic sword, and that he also got a LankyBox toy.

After presents were unwrapped, the room became hectic, with radio-controlled cars being tried out, while one boy went out on the court and tried out his new basketball with a group of high school students.

Carrie Childers, a teacher who helms the project, said funding comes from several sources.

As has been the case in past years, the students received a Big Cover Up grant from United Way of the River Cities, which are awarded to school charitable projects.

They also received a donation from Big Sandy Superstore, courtesy of Cindy Chinn, which is a regular contribution.

But she said the bulk of the funds are raised by student council members selling homecoming tickets.

“That’s what those sales are for,” Childers said.

Layna Burton, a South Point senior, said she “loved seeing all the smiles and happy faces.”

Burton, who is in Mu Alpha Theta, Ro Kappa and the National Honor Society, is in her second year of the project. 

She said she liked seeing the children get excited for everything, even items of clothes.

She was paired with J.J. Stevens, who received a new pair of shoes.

“They were his favorite,” she said.

Burton said the children “light up” from the surprises.

“And you feel better, just for them,” she said.

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