SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Elves Bring Holiday Cheer
T’was the week before Christmas break and secluded away, Angel Tree elves joyfully prepared for the big day. Stockings were stuffed. Swag bags filled, then set in piles – all in anticipation of watching students break out into smiles.
And when the end-of-the-day bell rang on Monday, Dec. 12, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) elves took their places and handed out holiday swag bags to a flurry of grateful faces.
“We are so blessed and grateful to provide our scholars with stockings and holiday swag bags, made possible by our annual Angel Tree donation campaign,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD.
Students received essential items as food, coats, shoes, personal hygiene products and school supplies for our neediest students, according to CHS treasurer Anne DeToye. Also in swag bags were Adidas sweat suits.
“We are always happy when we can help our students and their families,” 
added Jeffries. “I want to thank the SIUE community for donating this year and for helping make our scholars’ holiday a very merry one.”
The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century.
Photos:
L-R: CHS counselor and elf, Tomisha Montgomery, gives a swag bag to CHS senior Rickayle Green.
L-R: CHS Director and elf Gina Jeffries, EdD, visits briefly with CHS senior Jimmy Gilmore before giving him his swag bag.
CHS staff and volunteers worked to prepare holiday swag bags for CHSstudents.
