DONALDSONVILLE, La. (BRPROUD) – In Donaldsonville, Santa’s helpers aren’t elves and they don’t work in the North Pole you’ll find them in a brown house, owned by a middle school principal.
“We had to figure out a way to give back to the community we serve,” Lori Charlet said.
Santa doesn’t sit in a big chair, he sits on the ‘Poach.’
“P-o-a-c-h,” Charlet spelled. “[It’s] our slang word for a front porch.”
Over the weekend, her neighborhood will be filled with children.
Charlet is the principal at Gonzales Middle School and every year she invites the community to come over to her house for “Santa on the poach”– a fundraiser she and her family put on to provide toys for children in need.
So come grab a picture with Santa for $5 or bring some toys. Charlet usually raises thousands of dollars every year, and this year she’s already off to a great start.
“We’ve already collected $950 and we haven’t taken the first picture yet,” she said.
With coronavirus acting like the grinch who wants to haul Christmas away, some things are going to have to change. There will be no sitting on Santa’s lap and you can’t be as close to your friends as you would like. But, Charlet says it’s worth it if more kids smile on Christmas morning.
Santa says don’t pout, he’s just happy to see the kids even if it’s from a distance. But one thing is for sure, every year kids can rely on Santa sitting on the poach in Donaldsonville in hopes everyone will give back to those who need it most.
If you would like to help you can email Charlet at: lori.charlet@apsb.org
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