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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, December 29, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 22, 2004 This artwork went with a Jackson Elementary School student�s winning letter. ‘Every one of them is so beautiful’ Jackson Elementary students pour out their hearts into tree contest By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune The large bag contains letter after letter after letter. Some are bejeweled with glitter and pop-up Christmas ornaments. Others are simple graphite notes on beige newsprint. All are heartfelt requests to the Secret Santas of Jackson Elementary School. In his own letter to the Mail Tribune, Principal Tom Ettel says the students’ letters are their best effort to win a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that publicity-shy Good Samaritans donate to the school each year for the children’s enjoyment. This is the third year the children have created their colorful cards. And the third year a beautifully ornamented tree has been proudly displayed in the school library waiting to go home for the holidays with one lucky winner. This year, says Ettel, the school’s Santas upped the ante by adding a $200 gift certificate to Fred Meyer. Advertisement "The letters are good, but some are especially touching," says Ettel. "I select the winner based on which one got me all teary-eyed." Reading all the letters must make for a three-hanky evening, says Mrs. Secret Santa, who wished to remain anonymous. "Every one of them is so beautiful," she says. She says the little girl who won this year was so shy, she hid under her desk when she learned she’d won. And another little girl burst into tears when she realized she hadn’t. "I was at a dinner party the other day," she said. "I’d gotten the letters and was all boo-hooing about them. I told my friends, and six of them wanted to donate trees next year." And that, she says, is precisely the point. She wants more people to understand the need — and the effect. So does Mr. Secret Santa. Sometimes, it is a simple gift that can make a difference in a child’s life that may well last a lifetime. "It tells them someone cares, that someone cares about their life," he says. The letters speak for themselves. Most in English. Some in Spanish. They are full of requests. But most speak on behalf of sad younger siblings or hardworking parents, with the occasional wistful hope for a little something for themselves. "Even if Santa fogets we all still have famly. thanke you so very moche" reads one letter in standard grade- school penmanship, grammar and spelling. Both Secret Santas are issuing a "call for action." They would like to see more folks join them in their tree- and gift-giving next year. "People are always looking up to the next level (of success) for inspiration. It’s a human trait," Mrs. Secret Santa says. "But we never look sideways. We never look down. You go visit these kids and you realize how truly beautiful they are and how truly great the need is." The winning entry: a wish for family Here’s the text of the winning letter, reproduced as the winner wrote it in longhand: "Thank you for donating such a nice tree. I wish my family got such a beautiful tree. Especially because I don’t get one and I wish I did because my little Sister is 4 years old and her name is Fatima and she cries for a tree. I want that tree to present Christmas. Me and my family says Christmas as "Navidad" and decoration as "Decoraciones". It’s ok if I don’t get a Christmas tree but my family would love one. They work hard but they have to pay rent so we can’t get a tree. I will be all right if I don’t get this Christmas tree but please try to give me this tree. I would apriciate this tree." Written in the margin is a self-critique: "It’s kind of ugly color’s. It mite be the uglys drawing but I did my best at writing." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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