Students at David Hicks Elementary School in Inkster received a special holiday visit last week when more than 3,000 gifts worth more than $40,000 were waiting for them after their lunch break.
School Principal Amy Gee said she was moved to tears by the generosity of students from Walled Lake Northern High School. The gifts to the Inkster students were part of the annual gift drive of students, families and staff members. The school student leadership team chose the 430 students at the Helen Street elementary school in Inkster to receive the gifts this year.
Gee, known to many students as Mama Gee, was thrilled with the gifts, chosen for each individual child from lists they prepared during classes. Each of the students received six gifts, three items of necessity and three gifts that were strictly for fun.
“Kids giving back to kids is priceless during the holidays and our kids deserve this more than anybody,” Gee said. The school is part of the Wayne-Westland Community Schools district.
Walled Lake Northern student leadership team annually selects a school to receive gifts as part of the gift drive. Student Council President Bella Rushwin said her conversation with Gee was the deciding factor in choosing the Helen Street school.
“Basically when I talked to Mrs. Gee there was a few big things that stood out to me. She said that a lot of their kids do struggle with hunger and there is a big need for food here at the school, lot of necessities. We knew this was the right school to choose for us.”
Gee expressed her gratitude to the Walled Lake Northern students and staff and said the experience was one she would never forget and she was sure none of the students would ever forget the generosity and joy of the early Christmas event.
