Thanks to generous donations to the Haywood County Schools Foundation’s Sugar Plum Project, 89 of the district’s youngest children received many of the items on their Christmas wish list on December 15.
Each child received a large bag filled to the brim with new winter clothes and shoes, as well as any kind of toy imaginable. Students ripped wrapping paper to reveal everything from LOL dolls to remote control cars to art supplies.
For the second year, the pandemic forced Foundation staff to conduct the Sugar Plum Project a little differently with masks and spaced-out gift bags. Despite COVID protocols, the familiar sound of giggles and yells of excited children filled the air as students unwrapped presents.
“I asked Santa for a bike, and I got it!” Matt, a first grader, said as he excitedly strapped on a new, bright blue helmet and jumped on a shiny bicycle.
With just a few days until Christmas, students talked with volunteers and staff about what they hope to find under the tree from Santa Claus as they ate festive snacks.
For the past 35 years, the Haywood County Schools Foundation’s Sugar Plum Project has partnered with generous community members and local businesses to provide clothing and toys to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students enrolled in Haywood County Schools.
From November 19 through December 3, children’s names were available on trees at United Community Bank, Haywood County Farm Bureau, HomeTrust Bank, State Employees Credit Union, and Champion Credit Union. Generous community members picked out a name and bought items included on the child’s wish list like clothes, shoes, and toys. The Sugar Plum Project also accepted monetary donations to sponsor children.
“This is the first year that we have not had a single child’s name tag left on any tree,” Jenny Wood, Haywood County Schools Foundation executive director, said. “Tough times seem to make our community step up to the occasion even more.”
Along with the Sugar Plum Project, Haywood County Schools has worked with Pactiv Evergreen, police officers from Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde, Haywood County Sheriff’s officers, Highway Patrol, Haywood County EMS, Clyde Lions Club, several local churches and individuals to ensure all students have a memorable holiday season.
“Haywood County Schools is grateful for the donations of money, gifts, and time given to our students,” Wood said. “Despite everything going on this year, the generosity of our community has blown me away.”
Submitted by Carrie Sutton, Haywood County Schools Foundation