PHOTOS: Monroe Elementary Students Receive Holiday Gifts From Staff, Donated by Toys for Tots
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Second grade teacher Julie Dragosh, left, and her husband Craig Dragosh, load presents into their vehicle in preparation to deliver the gifts to students of James Monroe Elementary School in Colorado Springs on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Every student at Monroe Elementary, roughly 400 students, received gifts delivered to their homes by 30 volunteers from teachers, staff and the Monroe community. The holiday presents were donated by Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. This is the fourth year Monroe Elementary has provided gifts for their students. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first year staff has delivered the presents. "Times like these are really uplifting," said Frye. "It is important to remember that small differences go along way. We have seen small acts of kindness from all over the city and that goes along way to making sure that kids in our community have what they need to have an awesome holiday. We are just really grateful and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal," she said. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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Siblings Kemal Gouda, 9, Lamiis Gouda, 10, and Gelal Gouda, 7, right, pick up their holiday presents delivered by James Monroe Elementary School principal Dr. Carole Frye in Colorado Springs on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Every student at Monroe Elementary, roughly 400 students, received gifts delivered to their homes by 30 volunteers from teachers, staff and the Monroe community. The holiday presents were donated by Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. This is the fourth year Monroe Elementary has provided gifts for their students. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first year staff has delivered the presents to homes. "Times like these are really uplifting," said Frye. "It is important to remember that small differences go along way. We have seen small acts of kindness from all over the city and that goes along way to making sure that kids in our community have what they need to have an awesome holiday. We are just really grateful and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal," she said. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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Madeline Francis, James Monroe Elementary School counselor, picks out toys to be delivered to student homes in Colorado Springs at Monroe Elementary on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Every student at Monroe Elementary, roughly 400 students, received gifts delivered to their homes by 30 volunteers from teachers, staff and the Monroe community. The holiday presents were donated by Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. This is the fourth year Monroe Elementary has provided gifts for their students. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first year staff has delivered the presents. "Times like these are really uplifting," said Frye. "It is important to remember that small differences go along way. We have seen small acts of kindness from all over the city and that goes along way to making sure that kids in our community have what they need to have an awesome holiday. We are just really grateful and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal," she said. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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Dr. Carole Frye, James Monroe Elementary School principal, delivers presents with her daughter Nora, 3, to her student's homes in Colorado Springs on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Every student at Monroe Elementary, roughly 400 students, received gifts delivered to their homes by 30 volunteers from teachers, staff and the Monroe community. The holiday presents were donated by Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. "Times like these are really uplifting," said Frye. "It is important to remember that small differences go along way. We have seen small acts of kindness from all over the city and that goes along way to making sure that kids in our community have what they need to have an awesome holiday. We are just really grateful and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal," she said. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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Craig Dragosh, left, and second grade teacher Julie Dragosh, right, carry holiday presents to their vehicle in preparation to deliver the gifts to students of James Monroe Elementary School in Colorado Springs on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Every student at Monroe Elementary, roughly 400 students, received gifts delivered to their homes by 30 volunteers from teachers, staff and the Monroe community. The holiday presents were donated by Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. This is the fourth year Monroe Elementary has provided gifts for their students. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first year staff has delivered the presents. "Times like these are really uplifting," said Frye. "It is important to remember that small differences go along way. We have seen small acts of kindness from all over the city and that goes along way to making sure that kids in our community have what they need to have an awesome holiday. We are just really grateful and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal," she said. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
