By Lisa Carolin
Fifth graders from South Meadows Elementary School took time out of their day on Thursday, Dec. 11, to deliver presents to Palmer Auto Service on Main Street in Chelsea.
Palmer Auto has been the collection point for Toys for Tots and Teens donations for many years.
“The generosity of the community is overwhelming,” said Robert Mock, Jr., owner of Palmer Auto Service, who added that many of the donors prefer to stay anonymous and drop their gifts in the donations box next to the building.
Not this group of fifth-graders, who enthusiastically brought multiple loads of toys inside the building to add to the huge pile of toys adorning the towering Christmas tree.
It was up to South fifth-grade teacher Jenni Linde to commandeer the group of more than two dozen students making the toy delivery.
“The students do a marketing campaign and announcements to the school, and do all of it themselves,” said Linde, explaining how the toys were collected at South.
As the students carried in stuffed animals, Play Doh sets, basketballs, books, bumpers balls, and Barbies, they were met by a surprise – Santa Claus paid a visit to Palmer, handed out candy canes, and thanked them. Although the time was fleeting, many of the students made a point of sharing their Christmas wish lists with Santa.
All the toys were picked up on Friday, Dec. 12, and taken to Faith in Action Chelsea to be distributed.
Thursday afternoon, employees of Chelsea Milling Company also collected and donated a large number of toys for the drive.
