Auri Dallon snuggled into a soft, baby pink fleece blanket, wrapping herself up in its warmth.

The Midvale Elementary fourth-grade student, along with her classmates, was taken by surprise when their teacher handed them gifts, several of which were donated.

“It’s really warm and so soft,” she said. “It’s a pretty color. I don’t have one like this. It’s such a surprise; I feel so fortunate.”

The 32 students received blankets, gloves, hot chocolate, travel mugs, a Magic Tree House book and candy on the day before winter break. As they paused their learning for an hour, some students cuddled up in their fun, printed blankets to enjoy their books, while others built forts with their solid or plaid blankets.

This tradition marks the fifth consecutive year Midvale Elementary teacher Amanda Kraft has ensured her students receive blankets during the winter season. 

“I give them warm things because when I’ve done home visits, I’ve seen our kids don't have a lot of money at home, and so it's cold in their houses,” she said. “Many parents are deciding between putting food on the table and heat in the house, and we need to help them. Ever since I learned that, I’ve done this. I need to help our students, to let them know I care, so they can be warm and ready to learn.”

Kraft is quick to acknowledge her efforts are supported by others. Community volunteers and her aunt’s neighborhood contribute to the cause, and Heidi Sanger, the Midvale Elementary Community School Facilitator, helps coordinate the process by identifying additional students in need of blankets and gloves.

“The students didn’t know they were getting them, but they knew I’ve been gathering and hiding things. I love when they open their packages and to see the surprise and joy on their faces. For some, this may be the only gifts they receive this season,” she said. “They love to snuggle up with their blankets, drink their hot chocolate and know somebody in our community loves them. That's all that matters.”

Kraft goes the extra mile by including multiple packets of hot chocolate for each student.

“I know they're going to want to go home that day and have it, and I wanted to have it on Christmas Eve too, so they can know Midvale Elementary is loving them,” she said.

Despite the personal challenges she faces—caring for her husband, who is undergoing chemotherapy—Kraft remains focused on her students.

“It's been hard, but I knew my students are in need and my husband does too. I knew we had to gather blankets and gloves. So many of them come and don’t have a pair of gloves and ask me for them during the year. Everything is pricey, but I don't care. I know kids need these things, and they're good kids and appreciative. What’s amazing is when people reached out to me to help, some every year, some just hear of it and want to contribute to making their lives better,” she said.

Kraft’s commitment extends beyond just her classroom. She plans to expand her efforts to provide blankets for all 800 students at Midvale next year.

“Starting right at the first of the year, I’ll be looking for blankets and accepting donations. We want all the students to have the gift of warmth and love.”

To donate blankets, gloves or other items, reach out to Amanda Kraft at Midvale Elementary by emailing [email protected]. λ