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Day of Giving is Best Ever at Killeen Elementary

Each class enters the holiday-decorated gym together.
Together, they receive their gifts – all wrapped and tagged with their individual name.
The children form a line in front of Santa and those who want, sit alongside the furry-coated special guest for a photo.
Next, the class, still together, sit in a circle on the gym floor.
They wait until every classmate is seated in the circle – together.
Then, an adult counts down and the children open their gift.
Believe it or not, as excited as they are about their own present, many are just as excited to see what their friends received. There are smiles and cheers and expressions of gratitude. Sometimes there are tears.
“Best day of the year,” said Principal Tammy Thornhill.
Luis and Shelly Salas of Salas Team real estate with 30 of their employees and vendors made their annual delivery to Killeen Elementary School Friday, a week before the holiday break.
The Killeen-based business began the holiday tradition eight years ago at West Ward Elementary School in Killeen. That school was one of the smallest in KISD at less than 500 students.
In 2021, Killeen Elementary School opened, and the Salas Team took their day of giving down the street to the much-larger consolidated school. This year, they brought 1,115 gifts plus a few extra for new students.
“We just love it. We’re so grateful,” said Luis Salas. “We’ve been blessed by this community. We love giving back, and this school has been our choice. It fills our hearts.”
Missy Larosee, team recruiter for Salas, handles much of the logistics of the annual day of giving at the school. She’s been a part of the event from the beginning.
“We love kids, and we wanted to sow seeds of kindness,” she said, noting that the company began with a single grade level and the next year expanded to the whole school.
“What makes the biggest impact to me is that they are individually labeled with the child’s name,” she said. “Your identity is so important to be recognized for who you are. Every one of these children is important.”
Some children have attended Killeen Elementary School four years and anticipate their special guests as Christmas approaches. Many, though, are new to the area and experience it as a surprise.
“We like to provide for at least one moment in time for all these children at Killeen Elementary this chance to be on an equal playing field,” said Shelly Salas.
“Everybody gets a gift. Everyone gets to have fun with their friends, and they get a gift specifically for them.”
That special moment, said Thornhill, is what is so magical.
“It is incredible,” she said. “I don’t know how they are able to do this for almost 1,200 kids. The way they are able to maneuver this. They have a great team, and they are committed to it.”
“I feel like we are creating a core memory these kids will have forever. Activities and trinkets can be lost, but our memories are with us forever,” said Thornhill.
“Best day of the year hands down.”
Photo Gallery:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720322548455