For decades, WS students have been involved in a meaningful holiday tradition called Kristi’s Christmas, a long-standing community service event that pairs high school students with local elementary school students in need for a day focused on generosity, remembrance, and gratitude.
This WS yearly winter activity has been a tradition for about 30 years now, and every year it’s been hosted by West Springfield Rotary.
In 1986, a club named Echo was created in the WS chapter of DECA, with the idea of helping local elementary school students and families in need for a day of holiday giving. However, as a way to honor Kristi Brown, the WS tradition name turned into Kristi’s Christmas.
Kristi’s Christmas honors former Spartan Kristi Brown, who was a 1986 WS graduate. Brown was a treasurer for DECA, an SGA member, and captain on the girl’s soccer team.
“She was a great student, really good student. She was involved in the high school and she was part of the SGA. She was a cheerleader, I think also played soccer,” said WS basketball coach and Kristi’s Christmas sponsor Bill Gibson.
After Brown’s tragic passing in a car accident in 1987 on her way returning home from UVA, Kristi’s mother discovered through her journal that her volunteer work with underprivileged children had been very meaningful to her. In response, the event was created and later named Kristi’s Christmas in her honor.
“The most beneficial or life changing thing that she’d done was a thing for underprivileged kids, and so her mom decided to start something at Christmas, and then put Kristi’s Christmas to it,” said Gibson.
Each year, high school students who are participating in Kristi’s Christmas are paired with an elementary school student from an underprivileged household. They begin the day with breakfast together, allowing students to get comfortable and form a connection.
“My favorite thing about Krisiti’s Christmas is connecting with the kids you get paired up with. Lots of kids are shy during the beginning of the event but then begin to open up and become more playful towards you,” said sophomore Olivia Byrd.
High school volunteers all receive funds to take their assigned student to Target, where they can purchase essential items such as clothes, shoes, and even hygiene products.
“Sponsors of the event actually provide each student 125 dollars, so you can buy pretty much anything, like clothes, essential items. In the past I’ve gotten clothes, shoes, but you can also get shampoo,” said Interact Club president Natalie Ignacio.
After the volunteers return from shopping, students will participate in activities such as hot cocoa stations and a visit from Santa, where Santa reads them books before they get gifts from him.
“There are gifts corresponding to the amount of kids there are, so there will be 48 gifts this year, one for each kid. There’s a lot in the gift, there’s books, academic toys, multiplication cards in there, even like hand held games, puzzles, teddy bears, and I think they actually get sleeping bags as well,” said Ignacio.
Elementary students participating in Kristi’s Christmas are usually picked by counselors, and often come in small groups from multiple schools in the area. Kristi’s Christmas has impacted around 2,000 elementary school students total since the fund of the event, with the help of over 2,000 high schoolers.
Kristi’s Christmas not only impacts the children who attend, but also the high schoolers who volunteer. It gives them an opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way, while also teaching them to be humble.
“Our students learn about what it’s like not to have things and stuff and how excited kids are and what they feel about doing something like that to help others” said Gibson.
Spartans participating in Kristi’s Christmas encourage others to get involved. Kristi’s Christmas not only impacts and helps the community, but also students can earn four service hours.
“Kristi’s Christmas really impacts the community because these children aren’t often provided with all their essentials and Christmas gifts. Giving back to the kids and helping out people in need can really bring the community together in holiday times,” said Byrd.
Kristi’s Christmas is about giving back to the community, while honoring Kristi Brown’s legacy. Through decades of continued participation, Kristi’s Christmas has brought together students, education and families during the holiday season, creating memories and lasting connections for everyone involved.
