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Russell School ‘Santa or the Grinch?’ Fundraiser Assists Needy Families
The male teachers at Russell Elementary are putting their faces on the line for the holiday—as students and staff donate money to determine which teacher will be Santa and which one will become the Grinch on Dec. 22, the last day of school before winter recess.
It is a light-hearted competition to raise dollars to purchase food and other items for several families in Florissant and Hazelwood who are adopted by Russell for the holiday season.
The teacher raising the most money will be Santa, and the teacher raising the least amount of money will be the Grinch.
“As of today, we’ve raised a total of $628.92,” said Carol Welch, teacher and one of the event organizers.
“We’ve posted two pictures of all seven teachers, one as Santa and one as the Grinch so the children will know what they will look like.”
The contest began Dec. 5. With a week remaining, fifth grade teacher John Guyre was in the lead to be Santa, with $214.23 in donations. Welch said the school has a full Santa suit in the closet for the winner.
Dave Camarota, the physical education teacher, is heading in the opposite direction toward becoming the Grinch. Two days into the competition, and Welch said the PE teacher had only two cents donated under his name. “I think some students were beginning to feel sorry for him and now he is up to $33.33,” said Welch.
This could be by design.
“I think a lot of people are holding back until the last day, to make sure the right person gets to be the Grinch,” she mused. “We have an obnoxious green shirt with the Grinch on it that he will have to wear.”
Santa or the Grinch? is the second part of the Russell Gives A Helping Hand fund-raiser. The Cornucopia event at the school in November raised more than $800 for food, toys and presents for needy families.
Organizers are already thinking about next year’s holiday season.
“Our goal for next year—whoever wins Santa will have to defend his title, and the one who is the Grinch this year—if he doesn’t want to be the Grinch, he will have to do something in order not to be the Grinch!” she said.
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