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Second grade student adopts

his entire school for Christmas

By Sarah Shurge
Christmas is the time for giving.
But what happens when bills are
tight and you can’t afford a Christ-
mas gift for your child? What hap-
pens when you need some help?
Krista Poole and her three chil-
dren have taken it upon themselves
to spread Christmas cheer in the
most special way.
Poole’s youngest son, Derrick
Howard, Taft-Galloway Elementary
second grade student, decided to
adopt his entire school for the holi-
days. He wanted to ensure that all of
his friends, classmates, and peers re-
ceived a gift for the holidays.
“Our original goal was to adopt
four families,” said Poole. “I work for
a community organization and
started telling people what me and
my kids were going to do.” Krista Poole and her son, Derrick Howard (left) and some of the donated toys for
Poole met someone that was the students at Taft-Galloway Elementary.
going to pick up toys in a collabora-
tion with the Take One Community “There were times that Christmas almost didn't happen for us.
Program in Pontiac and they invited
Poole to pick up toys every weekend. We’ve struggled. But I am at the point in my life now that I can help out.
“Every weekend my van would be
just packed with stuff,” said Poole. I want to give back, I’ve been on the other side. It’s hard when you
Poole’s workplace, Forgotten Har-
vest, began to contribute to the cause don’t have help and you don’t know where to go.”
and then more and more people
began donating toys. Krista Poole
“It got to the point where my son
looked at all the toys and said ‘that’s “The day before we took every- she stated that people started reach- to take home,” said Howard. “Every-
enough to give one to everyone at my thing to the school, I had a moment ing out that they needed toys too. body gets a toy and family joy.”
school’,” said Poole. where I sat on the couch and looked She even provided toys for a family Now that the toys have been
So that’s exactly what they did. at everything and I was so proud of in Alabama. handed out and the remaining
“There are about 420 kids at Taft everything we did,” said Poole. “My favorite part was seeing the amount of toys were left at the
and we had probably about 700 This project was very personal to kids’ reactions when they walked school, Poole and her family finally
gifts,” said Poole. “We had everything: Poole and her family. into the room. To take that burden have the time and room to celebrate
games, dolls, trucks, legos. When “There were times that Christmas off the parents. If you don’t have it, if the holidays.
everything was actually laid out, it almost didn't happen for us. We’ve you can’t provide, that’s a burden “Everything was centered around
was amazing to see.” struggled. But I am at the point in and it’s not a good feeling,” said this. We sacrificed for this. We didn’t
Poole and her three children: my life now that I can help out. I Poole. “It’s ok to ask for help. It takes even have the tree up until December
Howard, daughter, Kamaria Tram- want to give back,” said Poole. “I’ve a village. Our job is to help each 23rd because we didn’t have room in
ble, and oldest son, Demari Tramble been on the other side. It’s hard other and not turn our backs on peo- our living room with all the toys
were all involved with the project, when you don’t have help and you ple in need.” everywhere,” said Poole.
and passed out the toys on Thursday, don’t know where to go.” Wayne-Westland Community Poole and her family plan on
December 22nd. Giving back and helping people is Schools shared the story about making this toy drive an annual
“It was such a surreal feeling. My a large part of Poole’s life. Howard adopting his school for the thing. “I had someone mention they
daughter almost cried a couple “At my job, I make sure that holidays on their Facebook page and wanted to sign a warehouse for next
times,” said Poole. “She is 18 and churches and soup kitchens receive the post received over 650 reactions year and pay for it, so we can store
had the idea to adopt some senior food. We fed over a million people and over 100 shares. One share was toys there,” said Poole.
citizens' homes too.” last year,” said Poole. “Majority of my from the Wayne, Michigan Adminis- If you want to support the cause,
The family had all the toys sorted life is giving back.” tration Community Updates page. donate toys, or get involved in any
out and displayed on tables for the Poole had posted on Facebook “It felt good. My favorite part was way, you can contact Poole by email
kids. that her son adopted his school and that everybody in my school got a toy at Ladykrisdesigns@gmail.com.

The Wayne Dispatch · January 2023 · 3