“The idea of Santa Claus is to be giving and to be kind, and to be magical,” says Mr. Chris Gaw, the AP Computer Science Principles teacher. Once Green Hope students hear this, they know it’s the start of the giving season. Mr. Gaw, the advisor of the Toys for Tots drive, aims to donate new, personalized gifts to children in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The drive was originally planned for Nov. 22 to Dec. 9 but was extended to Dec. 13 in order to continue supporting the community.
In 1947, Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks started Toys for Tots in Los Angeles, California. Bill’s wife, Diane, hand-crafted a doll intending to donate it to an agency that assisted underprivileged children and their families. However, after Bill told her that no agency was intended for this purpose, she asked him to create one. That year, Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles were able to collect 5,000 donated toys to deliver to children in need for the holidays. The concept of Toys for Tots was officially adopted by the Marine Corps in 1948 after a multitude of donations the holiday season prior, signifying the success of the idea for years to come.
Toys for Tots has become an annual tradition at Green Hope, signifying the start of the school’s holiday festivities. “I never thought that putting on a silly red suit would have this much impact…It’s silly and goofy, and it makes people happy,” shares Mr. Gaw. He embodies the character Santa Gaw to advertise the school’s Toys for Tots drive every year. Mr. Gaw’s journey as Santa Gaw started as short commercials in 2022 and transformed into an annual tradition where he dresses up in a Santa suit and encourages students to donate children’s toys.
He became known as a symbol for the Toys for Tots at Green Hope and is often stopped in the hallways and greeted with his nickname. Toys for Tots initially started at Green Hope as an idea that branched off of the Black Falcon about 15 years ago; originally called “Nerds in Need,” the drive’s purpose was to encourage Black Falcon members to collect and donate Star Wars toys. Eventually, the word spread about the Black Falcon’s donations, which resulted in a school-wide event that inspired all students and faculty to donate.
“It doesn’t matter what religion or what culture you’re from.” Although Santa is an idea traditionally associated with Christmas, the principle of his character is universal. Mr. Gaw aims to focus on the spirit of generosity around this time of the year; he believes that the giving spirit should not be limited to the holiday season and hopes to see the same kindness spread out all year long.
Toys for Tots holds a personal significance for Mr. Gaw, who feels that the program is a way to inspire a strong sense of community within students. “Toys for tots, for me, is a way for us as Green Hope, as a school community, to actively take a role in people’s lives… It’s just a way to give back,” he shares. He hopes that his legacy at Green Hope will be represented by the impact he made as Santa Gaw.
Toys for Tots drives will remain an annual staple of the Green Hope community, encouraging students to help those in need and give back to society. Mr. Gaw, as the current voice and lead behind the tradition, hopes for a strong figure to take up the mantle of Toys for Tots and continue to inspire future generations of falcons.
