Student Santas event serves meal, gifts and good cheer

Volunteers served hundreds of meals and distributed hundreds more gifts to area children and their families Christmas Day during the Student Santas' second annual holiday meal.

This year's event was at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, where families were served 400 roasted chickens, 300 pounds of mashed potatoes, 30 gallons of gravy, 50 pounds of green beans and corn and 400 rolls, as well as gifts from Santa Claus provided by the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

Event organizer Jennifer Gast said they had given out 400 tickets, but served everyone who came out.

"We've helped close to, oh gosh, 18,000 kids and their families," she said of the organization's history. "We get letters from all over the state from people who need help during Christmastime. ... We've probably topped 250 letters this year alone."

Gast said it's important for Student Santas volunteers to provide personal touch like that.

Ray Leung, second from right, executive chef and beverage director at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, led a crew of volunteers in preparing the meal during the Student Santas event Friday at Jefferson Elementary School. (TYLER GRAEF)

"We read each and every one," she said. "That's what sets us apart as an organization."

Gast started Student Santas during her time as a professor at Southeast Missouri State University 11 years ago.

"I said they could bring in toys for up to 20 bonus points," she explained. "And students were bringing in 40 or 50 toys. I knew it was more than just bonus points then."

Since then, the organization has teamed with sponsors such a Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Ryan's restaurant, Midamerica Hotels and others.

Ray Leung, executive chef and food and beverage director for the casino, led a team of eight chefs and 60 cooks to prepare the food Christmas morning and said he looked forward to helping with the Student Santas event since last year's meal.

"Oh, it's fantastic," he said. "That's why we're back this year. Cape Girardeau, big heart. This town has the biggest heart I've ever seen. Anything to do with children, Cape Girardeau rallies. It's so impressive."

Janice Friedrich, a special-education teacher at Jefferson Elementary for 16 years, was among the more than 100 volunteers who helped serve food and help the children meet Santa.

"I'm very invested with the families we're doing this for," she said. "You just get to know their families, and they become your family. We like to see them get the best."

Gast said last year's success inspired the owners of Stooges restaurant in Jackson to host a similar event, where hundreds more were fed.

Cape Transit Authority also provided transportation for local families to and from the meal.

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder visited with Cape Girardeau city manager Scott Meyer, who presented Gast with a coin for distinguished community service.

And for some patrons, spending time with others was better than the food or gifts.

"I think it's a wonderful thing that they've all got going. If it weren't for the churches and organizations like this, some people wouldn't have [a Christmas meal]," said Cape Girardeau resident Stephanie Farris. "I woke up this morning and didn't have anything under the tree, but we're surrounded by people who aren't gong to judge you or anything, and at least I'm surrounded by the ones I love."

Gast said it's her way to give back during the holidays.

"I think it's kind of like contagious," she said. "I think it's kind of amazing."

Farris agreed.

"In the long run, it's a very good experience for all of us," she said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

520 Minnesota Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.