Franklin High School’s Future Business Leaders of America and Skills USA students didn’t get to make their annual visit to Macon Citizens Habilities this year, but they still sent a carriage full of gifts and holiday joy to a modified celebration.
Every December, FHS teacher Michelle Brooks and her business students collect Christmas gifts, bring them to the exceptional citizens facility and spend the day with the citizens celebrating the season.
Unfortunately, students weren’t able to make the trip this year due to increases in COVID-19 cases both in Macon County and throughout the state, which the school determined made the field trip too dangerous for everyone involved. Even so, students still sent their love and a collection of gifts to brighten up the citizens’ day.
“Every year, I’m blessed to see what a giving heart they all have,” Brooks said of her students.
In the students’ place, Brooks brought a menagerie of animal companions to greet the crowd at Habilities. Participants got to say hello and take some photos with Justus the dog, Elmer the donkey, Natalie the pony and more. Nathan Jenkins, a former student of Brooks’, brought his horses to the event to pull Santa and the gifts in on a carriage.
“Back when I was in school, we used to bring the presents here ourselves,” Jenkins said. “This year, Michelle asked us to help do it this way and everyone pulled together.”
It was an exhilarating way to get into the holiday spirit for the attendees at Habilities. Many of the activities that they do together throughout the year have been lost to the pandemic, so getting to come to Habilities at all was a treat, especially for something so festive.
“With COVID-19 and everything, they don’t get to come here as much,” said Lisa Hawkins. “It’s amazing for them to get to do this.”
Christi Huff, director of Macon Citizens Habilities, said the visit from Franklin High School is the highlight of the Christmas season for many in the program. Not only is it a fun time had by all who participate, but it’s also an important way for them to feel connected with the wider community.
“It makes them feel like they’re cared for in our community,” Huff said. “It means the world to them and to the staff, too.”
As for the students, even if they didn’t get to do things the way they usually do, it still gives them a warm feeling to know that they made someone’s Christmas merrier and brighter – especially Owen Brooks, who played the part of Santa for the day.
“I got to see a lot of happy people,” he said. “I got to make a lot of happy people.”