AVONDALE – Christmas morning came a little early this year for families in Avondale who are struggling.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of students at Avondale Elementary School got to open presents.
Several local businesses joined forces to provide gifts for about 75 students whose families weren’t able to afford presents for their kids this year.
“I grew up in a household. We didn’t have a whole lot of money,” said Rory Huskin, owner of Cornerstone Roofing. For Huskin and his wife, Michele, Christmas wasn’t always the most wonderful time of the year.
“I remember when times were really bleak. We have eight daughters. Sometimes we didn’t have the best of Christmas’.”
However, he shared that the community took care of his family. Years later, he’s the owner of a small business and sharing his blessings with others.
Philip Ward, a parent of Avondale Elementary students, said, “I was almost in tears…not being able to provide these things for my kids and actually seeing them get these things is really a wonderful feeling.”
Parent Ashley Copeland said, “We couldn’t afford them this year. We had a series of events happen that really, really set us back so I am grateful.”
Her two kids, Kira and Carson, unwrapped items they never thought they’d get.
Kira received a Barbie and Carson got a robot and Legos.
The gift for Huskin and his family is “to see the kids come up and tell you thank you…tell you excitedly what they got.”
The Huskins started donating presents to Avondale students last year and it began with 12 kids. As far as next year goes, Huskin said he’s already working on ideas.
