Former Fairview Elementary students host toy giveaway
They wanted to give back to the school where it all started for them and brought them so much joy in their developmental years.
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Caldwell classes of 1988 and 1989 have moved all over the country.
“Several of us live in Georgia, some are still here, some of us in Texas, South Carolina,” said 1989 Caldwell High School Alumna Tiffany Johnson.
Even though distance may separate them these days, there is still a bond.
“Over the last 30-40 years, 40 plus years we’ve remained close friends,” Johnson said.
Columbus will always be the city they call home.
“Even though you leave Columbus, you can still give back to where you’re from,” said 1989 Caldwell High School Alumna Trina Williams.
“We have been so blessed in so many walks of life, why don’t we bless the children, and why don’t we bless the children in our hometown,” Johnson said.
That’s when the Christmas Toy Giveaway started to come to life.
Tiffany Johnson and Trina Williams were part of the Caldwell Class of 89, but their friendship started at Fairview Elementary in 1977.
They wanted to give back to the school where it all started for them and brought them so much joy in their developmental years.
“I think it’s so important especially at this time of year for children to see that others care about them. We Care. It’s just more important now than any other time,” Johnson said.
Johnson and Williams say they want to make the giveaway an annual event and expand it to more schools in the area.
“Hopefully as it continues to grow, we can think about giving scholarships to some children at the high school level,” Johnson said. “So, we want to start here, cause this is the foundation. But, we want to continue to grow, and we want them to know when they get to high school, there is still someone there to support you.”
Principal Montay Johnson says this does so much more than put a smile on their face, it teaches the children a valuable lesson.
“When they see people giving so kindly to others that they don’t even know, it’s inspirational, they are motivated to be kind and give things as well,” said Monte Johnson.
Over 100 children received gifts.
