Santa Spirit at Sylvan
THE TALL PAPER TREE in the lobby of the Sylvan Learning Center is covered with Christmas ornaments. But the ornaments are more than holiday decorations. Across each ornament is the name of a student and the number of tokens that student is donating. Those tokens are swapped for cash— cash that’s used to buy Christmas gifts for those who otherwise may not see much under their Christmas tree.
The tradition started five years ago when the center adopted a family with seven children. Karen Grater, Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center, heads up the Sylvan Giving Tree project.
“That first year we bought bicycles and delivered them to the family on Christmas Eve. The children weren’t there. We felt just like Santa,” says Grater.
While the custom continues, it’s changed a little over the years. Now the center works with the Children’s Home Society of Florida who provides them with names and wish lists for children who, without help, may not experience the joy of Christmas that so many of us take for granted. The center then purchases gifts like toys, clothing and sports equipment. But before the presents are delivered to CHSFL, they are stockpiled at the center.
“You should see it,” Grater says. “We have stacks of toys and clothes; it’s amazing. And the students get to see what their tokens bought for other kids. It makes them feel really good.”
Students earn tokens for their effort and hard work during their tutoring time at Sylvan. Normally, tokens are used to buy things like games, toys, or gift certificates from the Sylvan store. But during the holiday season, the students have an alternative. Rather than swapping the tokens for gifts for themselves, the students can donate their tokens back to the center.
“The older kids tend to give more of their tokens, it’s a little harder for the younger kids,” explains Grater. “One year a boy donated all of his tokens, 800 of them.”
The Sylvan Giving Tree is symbolic of the holiday spirit. It’s not just about receiving, it’s about giving too. It’s a heartfelt tradition, benefiting both the children who find presents under their tree and the children who help put them there. G