By Marin Murray.
A Santa with a pregnancy belly as his “bowl full of jelly”? Not a typical sight, but one that is fairly common while Christmas Grams are being delivered.
TAFE, Texas Association of Future Educators, students delivered Christmas Grams during classes on December 14, with all proceeds going towards other TAFE service projects and their state competition later this school year.
“There’s a lot of stuff I love about it,” teacher sponsor and TAFE organizer Shea Roberson said. “It just creates a spirit of Christmas and giving at the end of the semester when we’re all ready to be done with school.”
Christmas Grams are cards delivered by TAFE students that cost $1. Hershey bars, chocolate coal, a stuffed animal, a Santa delivery, and a singing delivery can be added for $2 each.
This tradition started six years ago during Roberson’s first year, when her seniors were looking for a new fundraiser for TAFE to participate in.
“My favorite part of it is seeing the students,” Roberson said. “There’s something so exciting about them sending something to their friends and watching them deliver and receive them.”
This year, juniors Casen Kilmer and Ben Bredemeyer presented the Christmas Grams project at the TAFE competition earlier this month. They will be advancing to state with their presentation.
“We just went in there and presented a poster that we had worked on in class,” Kilmer said. “It kind of just depicted what we do and what Christmas Grams are. Then we explained some of the fundraising numbers and why we enjoy doing it during Christmas time at school.”
The students are in charge of the whole operation; they spend time organizing the cards and then they go deliver them in groups, playing Christmas music in the days leading up to final exams.
“I think it is just a good way to spread Christmas spirit,” Kilmer said. “Obviously, not everyone has the same Christmas experience, so some people may be looking for just that Christmas cheer that might not come as easily to them. I think it’s a good way to ease out of the regular school day type vibe and get ready for Christmas break.”
