Thursday, December 21, 2017

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Santa gets a unique request


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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