Story School 4th graders get surprise on the first day of school
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Before the bell starts ringing and children begin their first day back at Story School, one woman stops by to drop off a special gift.
For 8 years, she has bought backpacks filled with school supplies for the entire 4th grade class.
This makes a dramatic difference for the kids, as 95% of the students at Story School receive a free or reduced lunch.
"She's an angel. It means so much to me that she does this and that I don't have to go out as much to look for those supplies, those book bags and things like that," says Story School 4th grade teacher Julene Flanagan.
But once the students arrive she is gone, keeping her identity to the children a mystery and only going by the name Santa Ann.
"They draw my picture sometimes and I'm always floating in the sky, I have angel wings which is wonderful. I like having that. And then usually I'm blonde and blue-eyed," says Santa Ann.
As the children open their backpacks to see what's inside, it felt more like Christmas than the first day of school.
"We have colored pencils, notebooks, and crayons, and glue, and snacks," says 4th grader Judy Kommliane.
"The people who gave me this was nice and generous to give this to us," says 4th grader Hieu Ratsimeuang.
Soon Santa Ann started giving the children gifts for every holiday.
But the students always show their gratitude through thank you cards, which Santa Ann holds dear to her heart.
"I needed all of the school supplies you gave me. At first I was scared because I didn't have school supplies but you gave me some," says Santa Ann as she reads one of the cards.
This kind gesture shows these kids that there's always someone out there who cares.