‘Santa’ Teacher Raises Thousands Every Year To Fulfill Annual Tradition Of Gift Giving For The Whole School

Dec 26, 2022 by apost team

The existence of Santa Claus has long caused a contentious debate among grown-ups, with many arguing that only kids believe in Santa. But whether Santa Claus is real or not, no one can deny the fact that Santa exists in more ways than one. While people have yet to see the Santa everyone has long known, people cross paths with different kinds of Santa every day. Yes, a real, human Santa. Some are even dedicated enough they actually try to become Santa every year by giving back to those in need or simply by bringing joy to people close to them. Just like a teacher from New Jersey who has turned her fundraising event for her students into an inspiring annual tradition.

In 2017, a physical education and health teacher at the Community Charter School of Paterson named Jennifer Olawski made it to the news – and for all the right reasons.

Olwaski made it to the news after she raised thousands of dollars for 500 students enrolled at an elementary school where she was teaching to make sure each one of them gets to celebrate Christmas with smiles on their faces.

It all started when she had a conversation with one of her students who admitted to not having received a gift ever in her entire life after asking what she wanted for Christmas in 2016. But it didn't really come as a surprise to her since 90 percent of the students at her school come from families living below the federal poverty level.

"And that just hit me so hard," Olawski told Inside Edition in an interview back in 2017.

In 2016, Olawski raised $2,500, buying each of them an art set. Then, in 2017, she raised another $4,500 through a GoFundMe page.

"This year I raised enough money to get each child multiple gifts," she said. "I got each child a slime-making kit, a winter hat and pair of gloves and coloring book," she said.

But the best part was more and more people started supporting her initiative.

"All my family and friends just got really involved," she told ABC News.

"I was really shocked that so many people that weren't really even able to give still gave."

Olawski's efforts don't go unnoticed as the dean of students, Iver Peterson, was only filled with gratitude.

"I'm grateful," Peterson told ABC News. "Just the looks on their faces, the joy, the excitement, the anticipation, it just speaks again to the person that Jen Olawski is."

He went on to acknowledge Olawski's impact on the school community. "Not everyone is able to bring that energy that she brings every day and to top it off with the kindness that she has within her and present this type of gift-giving to our entire student body — I'm speechless."

Her fundraiser has become an annual tradition which she has called "Reason for the Season." And it just keeps getting even bigger each year.

In 2018, students at Livingston Elementary School received gifts from her when she began teaching there. Students at Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts got their turn when she moved there in 2020.

In 2021, she raised $12,860 and was able to deliver gifts to 699 students.

Sharing an important lesson she wants to impart, she told My Central Jersey: "I want them, whether in elementary or in middle school, to know to always pay it forward. Being kind is important."

In 2022, Olawski's 8th-grade students supported her, becoming her elves and helping her wrap gifts for the year.

apost.com

What can you say about Jennifer Olawski's dedication to giving back to her students every year? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to your family and friends who might find this story interesting!