Santa Claus, also known as the father of Christmas, is a legendary Christmas icon that is believed to grant the wishes of children who have been good all year long. Every Christmas, most children are encouraged by their parents to write the things they would like to have for Christmas so that Santa Claus will be able to deliver it to them.
Santa Claus symbolizes more than material things. He is the greatest role model when it comes to finding the joy in giving.
And since Christmas is the season of giving, a school bus driver in Dallas, Texas, happily carried ‘the magical bag of Santa’ and made a handful of students happy. Curtis Jenkins, a school bus driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School, asked his students about what they would like to get for Christmas. Afterwards, he took money out of his own pocket to be able to give a total of 70 gifts for his precious students.
According to an interview, at first, all Curtis wanted to do was to have a simple exchange gift. However, Sheniqua, his wife, thought about students who do not have the means to participate in such activity. Instead, Curtis’ wife thought of buying presents for each students using their own money.
Determined to make each of his passengers happy, the generous and kind school bus driver made sure to ask everyone to list down what they would like to get for Christmas. And lo and behold, on the 22nd day of December, Curtis serviced children in a school bus filled with exciting gifts such as puzzles and a bicycle!
“Seeing the faces of those kids was more than anything that I could ever do with the money.” Curtis explained.
Curtis also acknowledged the help that he have gotten from the other people to make his gift-giving project possible. According to Curtis, one of his coworkers who have learned about his plan bought a bicycle for one of the students. While another parent gave him a hundred bucks to help him buy 70 gifts that would cover all of his students.
The heartwarming surprise Curtis prepared in order to paint a smile on the face of the children touched the heart of countless people from different parts of the world after it became viral. Proud and moved by Curtis’ selflessness and generosity, the Lake Highlands Elementary school shared his photos on their Facebook account. The complete caption reads:
“This is Curtis Jenkins, a bus driver for our school. He asked every kid on the bus what they wanted for Christmas and then BOUGHT IT FOR THEM! There was even a bike on that bus!!! This reminds us how much good there is in the world and how we should all strive to be a little more like Curtis.”
Curtis’ story which was shared more than 9 thousand times inspired people to share their blessings as well. Some Facebook users commended him for having such a strong bond with the students.
“It’s amazing for so many reasons… i’m in tears thinking about the salary of a bus driver and the gift he’s given these kids to know that their driver cherishes each one of them. incredible.” A Facebook user said, touched by Curtis’ selflessness.
“Who knew Santa also drives a bus? What a great man!” Another Facebook user expressed his admiration and respect for Curtis’ touching gesture towards students.
“Please start a GoFundMe for Mr. Curtis Jenkins so we can contribute to a blessing for this wonderful man.” Another Facebook user suggested.
However, Curtis clarified that he did not create any funding page for himself nor did he ask for any donations.
“So many accounts has been set up on GoFundMe in my name, with my picture,” Curtis clarified in one of his interviews. “I never set up anything.”
Indeed, all Curtis wanted to accomplish that fateful day was nothing but to uplift the spirits of the children and to make them happy. His reason behind such act? It all boils down to his desire to let the children know and feel that they are loved and cared for.
“Kids these days need to see positivity,” Curtis’ further explained. “If you show a lot of kids a lot of love they will do the same.”
Curtis Jenkins may not come from an affluent family, in fact his earnings is just enough for him and his growing family. But that did not stop him from sharing his blessings to others. Thanks to his thoughtful mind and charitable heart, about 70 students celebrated Christmas with a big smile on their face!
Watch the video about this story and may his heartwarming story inspire and encourage us to do the same!