Mary Washington Students Deliver Holiday Cheer to Local Preschoolers

University of Mary Washington sophomore Lauren Spagnuolo knew the morning would be memorable, but she didn’t anticipate just how special it would be. Moments after arriving at Fredericksburg’s Walker-Grant Center, the psychology major found herself on the floor beside local preschoolers as they opened brightly wrapped gift boxes filled with toys, art supplies, hats and gloves, toothbrushes and more.

One preschooler hugged a new teddy bear. Others held up Play-Doh and Hot Wheels cars, and squealed with delight over favorites like Bluey, Sonic and Barbie. The joyful scene marked the culmination of UMW’s annual Gift Box Drive, a decades-long service tradition coordinated by Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), part of the University’s Center for Community Engagement.

Spagnuolo, who also minors in disability studies, spent the semester staffing information tables, collecting donations and explaining the project to fellow students. “The experience was really gratifying,” she said. “I loved the holiday spirit of it all. The wrapping party was great, tabling was fun and getting to help the kids open their boxes made everything come full circle.”

Mary Washington’s campus community filled 300 boxes this year for children enrolled in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania’s Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative programs. COAR student leaders guided every step of the process, from planning the wrapping party – which drew more than 70 student volunteers — to sorting and checking the boxes before delivery.

The festivities unfolded in small groups as each preschool class gathered around Santa — played for the second year by Frank Dodson, a Fredericksburg City Schools maintenance employee who volunteered for the role. Dressed in a red suit and surrounded by twinkling holiday décor, he led a round of “Jingle Bells” before inviting the children to open their boxes. “Seeing the smiles and laughter from the children makes it easy to help,” Dodson said.

Mary Washington student leaders from COAR (Community Outreach and Resources) stand beside Santa and help hand out gift boxes to a preschool class during the annual gift box delivery at the Walker-Grant Center. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Stacks of gift boxes fill the Walker-Grant Center during UMW’s annual Gift Box Drive, part of a 300-box effort serving preschoolers in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative programs. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

UMW sophomore psychology major Lauren Spagnuolo assists preschoolers as they open gifts donated by the UMW campus community. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

From left, UMW students Sarah Tyree-Herrmann, Emily Helpinstill and Lauren Spagnuolo pose at the Walker-Grant Center with gift boxes they helped prepare as part of UMW’s annual Gift Box Drive serving local preschool programs. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

A preschooler smiles while holding a gift box as Santa looks on during the University of Mary Washington’s annual gift box delivery at the Walker-Grant Center in Fredericksburg. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Preschool students rush to hug Santa, portrayed by Fredericksburg City Schools employee Frank Dodson, during Mary Washington’s annual gift box delivery. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

For COAR’s staff director, Emily Helpinstill, a junior English major and linguistics minor, those smiles illustrate why the program has endured. “The schools really appreciate it, especially since some families need extra support around this time of year. I’m glad we can help meet those needs,” she said.

Junior Sarah Tyree-Herrmann, a double major in political science and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, agreed that seeing the children’s reactions was the highlight of the day. “My sister is a teacher, so I know how meaningful these experiences can be,” she said. “It’s a fun time of year, and being with the preschoolers made it even better.”

Teachers say the event has become a cherished tradition. Jackie Haynes, a long-time educator who now serves as a substitute, has participated for more than two decades. “Our kids just love it, and the college students are so sweet,” she said. “The excitement never fades.”

For Mary Washington students, the experience is just as meaningful. “It’s always a special day,” said Sarah Dewees, director of the Center for Community Engagement. “The program brings the preschoolers such joy while giving our students hands-on experience with project management, teamwork and community partnership.”

Coordinating the day for the Fredericksburg City Public Schools Preschool Program was Instructional Coach Scarlett Walker, who braved unexpected snow to pick up the gift boxes and ensure they reached students on schedule. “I wanted everything ready to go; no one wanted to postpone this,” Walker said. “Our kids – and staff – look forward to it all year.”

UMW sophomore Lauren Spagnuolo high-fives an excited preschooler during the UMW’s annual gift box delivery. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

A preschooler smiles while clutching her gift box, containing toys, art supplies, hat, gloves, toothbrush and toothpaste. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Preschoolers sit on the floor opening gifts as staff looks on, noting how the event has become a cherished tradition over the years. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

A preschooler hugs a new teddy bear while classmates hold up Play-Doh and Hot Wheels cars and react with excitement to familiar favorites like Bluey, Sonic and Barbie. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Mary Wash student volunteers during a “wrapping party” that helps cover all the gift boxes in colorful, festive wrapping paper prior to delivery to local preschool students.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools preschool program Instructional Coach Scarlett Walker, joined by family, picks up gift boxes, braving the weather to ensure they reached students on schedule.