LYNN — Classical High School is carrying on a more-than-a-decade-old tradition this Christmas season.
The faculty and staff are providing Christmas gifts to 90 children from 38 families in the school district as part of “Coula Christmas.”
History teacher Mike Curley, one of the program’s coordinators, said that the recipients are from five different elementary schools: Ingalls, Washington, Brickett, Aborn, and Cobbet.
“The social workers in the schools reach out to the families that are most in need,” Curley said. “They provide us with information about the kids, what they’d like.”
English teacher Lauren Jenkins explained how the lists were compiled.
“They would tell me how many kids they have in the family … and would see what that child’s needs were. That would be the priority to get those things. Then, we’d ask the family liaison or social worker what’s something they want. I told them to be specific.”
This year’s list included Spiderman toys, Hot Wheels, rollerblades, and even bicycles.
Once the list is compiled, organizers start working to match families with sponsors.
“A lot of it comes from within the building: teachers, other staff, our principal sponsored a couple of kids,” Curley said. “Everybody gets involved. We reach out to people on social media, and other people come to help us.”
Curley said that every child receives a couple of toys and some warm clothes.
“Every family gets Market Basket gift cards,” he added. “Jenkins makes sure every family gets a little bit of cocoa and a Charlie Brown Christmas book donated by Barnes and Noble.”
Curley said that people pitched in to help in any way they could.
“We had people who could donate but couldn’t shop,” he said. “We had people who could shop but couldn’t donate.”
The gifts began to pile up at Classical, where they would be packaged and brought to the families.
“The past few days, it looked like the North Pole here,” Jenkins said.
On Wednesday, the packages were delivered to the elementary schools in dark plastic bags to conceal the fact that there were presents in them.
At the elementary schools, parents were contacted to arrange pickup or delivery of the packages.
“Hopefully, they’ll have a wonderful Christmas this year because of all the generosity of the people that were involved,” Jenkins said.
Coula Christmas started at Classical more than a decade ago, when long-time school clerk Coula Kesanlis wanted to do something to bring Christmas cheer to children and families in need.
“Coula ran the building when she was here,” Curley said. “She did this out of the goodness of her heart.”
When Kesanlis retired a few years ago, Curley stepped up to ensure the program continued.
“When Coula was retiring, I wanted to make sure that this didn’t end,” Curley said. “I took it on, and I took the information from her.”
When Jenkins came to Classical, she joined Curley in organizing the annual program.
“Ms. Jenkins was super willing to jump on board,” Curley said. “She’s been a rock star.”
Principal Amy Dunn said that she spoke to Kesanlis this week.
“She’s in Texas with her grandbabies,” Dunn said. “She’s really excited that it’s keeping going and even growing and serving more families.”
Curley, Jenkins, and Dunn all credited the special family atmosphere at Classical for making Coula Christmas a long-term success.
“It’s something that’s a community builder,” Jenkins said. “It’s something that’s so meaningful to so many people. A lot of teachers live in Lynn, and they want to give back to someone they know who will actually use this and need it.”
Curley said it is an example of neighbors helping neighbors.
“We come together and try to do things that help the community with the support of administrators, teachers, the custodians, the parents,” he said. “Everybody who works in this building works very hard to make Classical be a positive influence in the community.”
Jenkins added that the sense of community at the school is rewarding.
“It’s just so wonderful to be part of a community of people who support people who want to help others,” she said. “That is what Lynn Classical is all about. It’s bringing community into the building.”
Dunn said that this level of generosity is what she has come to expect from the Classical community.
“It’s not surprising because it’s what they do year-round,” Dunn said. “You couldn’t ask for a more generous, giving, dedicated faculty than at Lynn Classical High School.”
