Editor, Gazette-Journal:

A small Santa franchise set up shop in a corner of the multi-purpose room at Thomas Hunter Middle School a couple of weeks ago. In the THMS PTA’s Elf Shelf, PTA members Lisa White, Melissa Maggioncalda and Jenna Rowe worked all week helping students from both Thomas Hunter and Lee-Jackson select presents for family and friends.

I was one of the lucky recruits who got to be an elf for a day, too. Some children needed help matching presents to the money they brought, some needed help finding the perfect present for a favorite aunt, some needed help choosing among the many treasures that caught their eye. Every child had the opportunity to make choices, do a little budgeting, and experience the joy of giving.

It was a pleasure to see parents and other community members bringing their gift of time to the children of Thomas Hunter and Lee-Jackson. Three cheers for the PTA for inviting grandparents to help, too!

Christine Ulrich

Cobbs Creek, Va. ...