Shop an online ornament for your favorite school at daviskids.org/santa and send warm clothing, essentials and gifts directly to local junior high students in need.
FARMINGTON, Utah — For many junior high students, the holidays add extra weight to a year already filled with worry about food, warm clothing and basic needs. Davis Education Foundation’s Junior High Sub for Santa Child Spree is stepping in to change that story one student at a time.
This year’s effort focuses on teens in Davis School District junior highs who have been identified by school counselors, administrators and social workers as needing extra support. The program pairs community members with students through an online “ornament” experience that makes giving simple, personal and local.
At daviskids.org/santa, visitors will find a digital tree filled with ornaments, each one representing a different junior high school. Community members choose a school ornament, open a curated Amazon list and shop for items that will go directly to students in that building. The lists include winter clothing, shoes, hygiene items and a few fun gifts chosen to help students feel seen and included.
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“Junior high can be a tough season even in the best circumstances,” said Jodi Lunt, executive director of Davis Education Foundation. “When students are worried about a warm coat or basic essentials it becomes even harder to focus on school. Sub for Santa gives our community a way to quietly step in and say, ‘We see you and we’re in your corner.’”
Counselors and staff work closely with families to make sure each list reflects real needs. Many of the items purchased will help students far beyond the holidays, including clothing that meets school dress codes and practical items that boost confidence and comfort at school. The program is designed to preserve dignity for students while rallying generous neighbors who want to help.
The Junior High Sub for Santa Child Spree complements Davis Education Foundation’s long-running Child Spree event for younger students by adding a focused effort for adolescents. Teens often are the first to sacrifice when family budgets are tight, especially during the holidays. By directing gifts to junior highs, the foundation helps fill that gap and keeps students more engaged in class.
Community members, church groups, businesses and families can all participate. Many sponsors choose a favorite school or select multiple ornaments to cover several campuses. Once purchases are complete, items ship directly to the foundation and are distributed through the schools so students receive them before the break.
“This is a chance to turn holiday generosity into very real support for students right here in Davis School District,” Lunt said. “Every coat, every pair of shoes and every small gift helps a student walk into school feeling more secure and more hopeful.”
To join the Junior High Sub for Santa Child Spree, visit DavisKids.org/Santa, choose a school ornament and shop the Amazon list. Your gifts will brighten the holidays for a local junior high student who needs it most.