Kind spirits don’t have to wear a bright red suit and a white beard to create a little holiday magic for families.

click photo to enlarge         A thank you note to Crossroads students from their South-Western Head Start friends.

For many families in the South-Western City School District, holiday cheer takes the form of the staff and students of the Franklin County Crossroads program.

Each year Crossroads Career Manager Pam Ford and her students at South-Western’s Westland High School organize efforts to purchase holiday gifts for students in the district’s Head Start preschool program, which serves low-income families.

But this year as the need grew, Ford was able to help a record number of families.

 “With the economic situation, so many people needed help,” Ford said. “In some cases, we even bought food so they could have Christmas dinner.”

With the help of other Crossroads career managers and students at South-Western’s Central Crossing and Franklin Heights high schools, this year’s “Westland’s Wonderful World of Sharing” program raised $2,133, more than double last year’s total. With a supportive discount from Meijer’s, that money bought gifts for about 100 students and four entire families.

“We could do more,” Ford said. “It’s really hard. Some people reluctant to say they need the help.”

But the support doesn’t only come around once per year at the holiday season. Ford’s students work with the Head Start preschoolers several times per year often reading, dancing or just playing together.

click photo to enlarge         Crossroads students watch as South-Western Head Start studentsopen holiday gifts.

“My students are like a big brother or sister or a teen mentor to these children,” Ford said. “They actually ‘adopt’ these kids.

“We just felt like we wanted to do more to help them. It was more than just helping them learn.”

As they develop bonds, the Crossroads students are able to pick out gifts they know their preschoolers would enjoy.

“The families were just overwhelmed; it’s very rewarding.” Ford said. “They were just so grateful. They couldn’t thank you enough. It really makes you feel good.”

The year-round efforts show Program Director Calvin Murray the quality of both Crossroads students and staff.

“Each one is looking out for the next generation,” Murray said. “Our staff helps Crossroads students and it’s so encouraging to see our students in turn help improve the lives of these children.

“I’m just so proud of everyone involved and the impact they can have on our community.”