On Dec. 3, Falcon School District 49 held its 15th annual Santaís Toy Express event at the Education Services Center. This year, teachers, counselors and administrators nominated more than 50 students with special circumstances to participate in the program.The students received a hot breakfast before loading onto D 49 busses and heading to the Walmart in Falcon to shop for gifts for their families. One volunteer from several different organizations accompanied each student. Junior ROTC students from Falcon High School and personnel from Schriever and Peterson Air Force bases were among the volunteers.After shopping, the students returned to the D 49 Education Services Center, and wrapped the gifts they purchased. They also made Christmas ornaments, had their faces painted and watched a magic show. And each student visited with Santa Claus, (Jim DeGeorge) and received their own bag of gifts that included a coat, gloves, hand-knit scarf and toys.RJ Berry, Santaís Toy Express coordinator and D 49 special needs bus driver, said the event went well and could not have happened without the help of sponsors like Walmart, the Falcon Lions Club, Farmers State Bank, the Dollar Tree and Home Depot.
