A
little boy at Myers Elementary School sat on a visiting Santa’s lap and like
all the children before him was asked what he wanted for Christmas.
But,
unlike the other children, his response drew a few tears, and even moved Santa
himself.
The
boy told Santa all he wanted was peace in his house and a pair of shoes.
Word
of his surprising answer went straight from Santa to the ears of Myers
Principal Tamara Jones-Jackson.
The
principal said it was one of the most emotional moments of the day, which was
made possible through Odette and Corne Chiropractic in Woodhaven and Tittle
Brothers Construction, based in Southgate.
Woodhaven
Mayor Patricia Odette (who owns the chiropractic business) contacted the
principal. Odette extended the offer to adopt the school after one of her
clients, who happens works at the school, had a conversation with the
chiropractor. Odette said she has sponsored the school in the past, but after a
change in principals years ago, there was “a disconnect.”
The
recent talk with her client set things back in motion.
Jones-Jackson
told Odette they wanted to have the children take pictures with Santa, but
would have to charge the youngsters to do it. Odette offered to cover that cost
for the school.
Instead
of leaving it at that, Odette asked if there was anything else she could do to
help.
“I
told her we need coats and hats for some of the children, and she said she
could do that, too,” Jones-Jackson said. “The children also were given gift
cards to McDonalds and gloves.”
When
Carrie Tittle, owner of Tittle Brothers, heard about Odette’s plan to support
the school, she offered to have her business share the load.
A
holiday breakfast was prepared for the children at the school and both
businesses made sure each student left Myers with a Christmas stocking loaded
with candy and treats.
“Oh
my goodness, the children were ecstatic,” Jones-Jackson said.
Both
businesses brought a crew of employees to the school and together they sang holiday
carols with the children.
“I’ve
never seen so many happy children,” Odette said. “We had a big party there, and
it was phenomenal.”
When
Odette learned of two families at the school facing eviction, she didn’t have
the heart to walk away from the school without helping them, too.
She
adopted both families, which together include six children. Odette said she
wanted to make sure they had something for the holiday.
After
leaving the school, the thought of the little boy asking Santa for peace and shoes
weighed heavy on the heart of Tittle.
Along
with bringing in coats and other items for the school, Tittle made another trip
to the store and brought back a pair of shoes for the child.
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