The Spirit of Giving

Santa came to visit Cabrini School on Thursday. The students, especially the littlest ones, look forward to his arrival every year. What makes his annual visits even better is that he brings a special twist to the day. When he visits the classrooms, it isn’t to give the children presents, or to ask them what gifts they would like to receive. Instead, he focuses on the importance of giving, and enlists their help in giving a gift to their teacher.

School teachers and staff members receive a big box of delicious, home-baked cookies, a thank you from school families. They’re packaged up in pretty bags, then packed in a box, wrapped and given to Santa and his elves to deliver. Santa goes from class to class, singing carols with the children, and talking with them about the birth of Jesus, and the true meaning of Christmas. Then he asks for their help in delivering a special package to their teacher.

This wonderful tradition was started years ago, as far back as anyone can remember, by Sherry Lutz. A Cabrini mom, graduate, former teacher, and tireless volunteer, Sherry was passionate about baking, and was determined to make sure our fabulous teachers and staff had cookies to share with their families at this busy time of year. It’s a nice way for our families to show the faculty how very much they’re appreciated, and the teachers look forward to it every year.

 

Sherry died earlier this year, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She is greatly missed. In her honor, the tradition continues, and this year was renamed the Sherry Lutz Cookie Giving. The baton has been passed to two other Cabrini moms, Kim Nielsen and Sherry’s sister, Sara Katz. Sherry’s niece and nephew pitched in this year as Santa’s elves. And inside each package, teachers found an angel cookie and cookie cutter, a memento of Sherry and her generous heart.