A practically perfect picture of selfless giving and grateful receiving played out on the gym floor Friday at Killeen Elementary School during an annual day of gift giving the week before the holiday break.
For the ninth year, Luis and Shelly Salas and their Salas Team Realtors provided a gift for every child at Killeen ISD’s downtown elementary school.
The tradition began at West Ward Elementary School and continued when that school closed and consolidated with East Ward Elementary School at the new Killeen Elementary on Rancier Avenue.
The real estate company employees purchase gifts locally, then conduct a wrapping party, decorate the school gym and finally deliver the 1,050 personally labeled gifts.
Throughout the morning and sometimes beyond, classes enter the decked-out gym as guests cheer above the holiday music.
Children receive their wrapped gift that includes their name on a tag. They each take a photo with Santa, then move together to a circle where they sit together and await the anticipated countdown.
Everyone in and around the circle counts together – “3, 2, 1,” then the unwrapping begins, smiles widen and laughter fills the gym.
“It’s special because they don’t often have this experience and when they do it’s exciting. This is now personalized for them, and they get to share it with their class. That’s very exciting,” said first grade teacher Kaylyn Kragie.
“When they figure it out, it’s very exciting. Being able to share that with each other is amazing. Not a lot of places can do this, to have that kind of support is amazing.”
Principal Yanitzie Oquendo, new to Killeen Elementary this year, mobilized her office and relocated to the gym to get a closer look at the much talked about tradition.
“It’s so emotional. The looks on their faces is overwhelming,” she said, explaining how one child hugged everyone around when he received his gift.
“The fact the Salas Team comes out, and this is an act of love to our community I just want to keep this tradition alive and I’m glad I get to be a part of it now. It’s beautiful.”
Shelly Salas said the effort is a labor of love that reflects the values of her family and her team.
“We make sure every student at Killeen Elementary gets a personalized gift to share that special moment with their friends. I know how important that is. It’s a great experience to see how excited they get,” she said.
“It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun. This is the big day. My husband and I didn’t have Christmas like this growing up. To us, it’s really important to do this. God willing, we will be here every year.”
Photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720330862030/