JOYOUS REWARDS: STUDENTS SELECT GIFTS USING BOBCAT BUCKS EARNED FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR

Bobcat Bucks were legal tender in the Bobcat Den.

Brenda Hubert, left, showed Adrian Harris a basket of bath accessories to consider as a gift.

Eight-year-old Latisha Williams had her roll of Bobcat Bucks tucked in her pocket and her Christmas shopping list ready as she entered the Christmas Bobcat Den at May Greene Elementary School.

Latisha was looking for gifts for her cousin, her grandma and her auntie. She walked away happy with holiday gifts under her arm.

Latisha, like all the students at May Greene, earned Bobcat Bucks in reward for doing good work and for good behavior.

Community organizations and businesses donate gift items, and volunteers help the youngsters shop. After selecting their gifts, other volunteers gift wrap the presents.

As she entered the room filled with gifts, Latisha quickly spotted a Kelly doll, Barbie's little sister, on a table of gifts for other children. Perfect, she said, for her cousin.

Picking a gift for Grandma was a little tougher. Latisha knew her grandmother would like a piece of jewelry, but she was a little overwhelmed at the choices of necklaces, broaches, bracelets and earrings.

She picked up a box with a pearl necklace and gently touched the beads. "I think she'd like this," Latisha said. Then she spotted some red and gold earrings. "Oh wait," she said, putting the necklace back. "This is just right."

Then she contemplated ceramic candlesticks, potpourri and a gift basket of lotions for her aunt. But Latisha decided the purse with lots of compartments would be the best choice. "It will go with everything," she said.

The story was the same for dozens of other children Monday. And shopping continues today.

Brian Williams, 8, said, "There are so many good things." But he knew the tool set would be perfect for his father. "My dad will like the tools," he said. "He uses those a lot."

Sirena Irving, 9, said earning her roll of bucks wasn't too hard. "I earned them for being nice and doing all my work."

Picking the gifts, was more challenging. "It was kind of hard because there was so much good stuff," she said.

Sirena found the perfect gifts for her mother, father and older sister. "When I get home, I'm going to hide them. On Christmas Eve I'll take them out and put them under the tree."

The Bobcat Den has long been a fixture at May Greene. In years past, the den was open throughout the school year for youngsters to purchase items. These days, the den is a special event for Christmas.

Volunteer Angie Tygett coordinated this project and volunteer Cherie Herbst stored 750 donated gifts in her basement throughout the year.

"From year to year people donate money or items," Kohlfeld said. "It has become sort of self-sustaining."

Students started earning their bucks Dec. 1.

Each child could select three gifts. They decided ahead of time who would receive the gifts and made out gift tags.

"It's all about gift giving," said Principal Barb Kohlfeld. "Even at this early age, we want to show that there is more to Christmas than just getting gifts. Giving gifts can be a lot more fun."