Melinda Tuhus Photo
Upon hearing that she and 40 other students from Lincoln Bassett School had come to City Hall Thursday to receive holiday presents, first-grader Karena Kujo (pictured) announced, “I already have a lot of presents from my family. If I get any more, that will be too many.” So she took the next logical step.
The kindergartners through six — graders — called “ambassadors” by Principal-of-the-Year Ramona Gattison — were chosen as role models for their academic achievements and good behavior. Mike Thibault (pictured), coach of the Connecticut Suns pro women’s basketball team, told the kids seated patiently on the floor of the Atrium that his team members held a “Christmas in July” gift collection and rounded up more than 800 gifts — including some pretty nifty ones like a complete drawing kit and a classy dart set.
Then he set about finding deserving holiday gift-giving programs from around the state to bestow the gifts. Neighbor to Neighbor, started by Debra Hauser (pictured with Newhallville alderman Charles Blango), was one of the winners.
The kids happily sang “Jingle Bells” along with Hauser while waiting for Blaze, the team mascot, to arrive with the loot. He (she?) high-fived everyone in sight. Then the big red bags of gifts were opened and each child got to pick his or her own present.
Some adults on the periphery feared that would be a disaster; in fact every child seemed happy with what he or she picked.
Kerena picked a Dora the Explorer memory game.
What would she do with it? “I’m giving it to my little sister,” she announced.
Hauser said the Neighbor to Neighbor program started in East Rock, collecting coats and boots as well as toys, for distribution to families in Newhallville, with whom her neighborhood shares a policing district. She said Coach Thibault “contacted me out of the blue” to donate the presents and make the holiday for these kids — most of whom live in Newhallville — even brighter.