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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Students at Redwood Elementary School were surprised with a visit from Santa Claus and personalized gifts after a trip to watch “The Polar Express” on Thursday.
“I can’t even imagine this happening when we went to school,” said Redwood Principal Jolynn Koehler with a laugh.
The day started with students going to the Megaplex 12 Theaters at The Gateway in Salt Lake City to see “The Polar Express” – but Koehler knew that was just the beginning of a very special day.
“Everything that’s happening today is going to be a surprise to them,” she said.
The kids had no idea what was waiting for them after seeing the movie, as the school’s gym had been transformed into a wonderland with Christmas trees, wreaths and plenty of presents.
Even Santa Claus himself showed up with a gift for each student, which brought cheers from the over-600 children.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers asked their students – if they could have any gift at all, what would they choose?
The students answered, not realizing their answers would be passed along to Santa.
Santa arrived with gifts for each student.
“That’s why we have probably 60 skateboards here,” said Rob Corcoran with a laugh.
Corcoran was the man behind this special day.
He got the idea to do something for kids during Christmas after riding the Heber Creeper Christmas train in Wasatch County with his own kids a few years ago.
“And I thought, what a magical experience I wish every child on Earth could have, but obviously that’s not going to happen,” Corcoran said.
However, he realized he could help in his community.
So, Corcoran teamed up with his contacts and other businesses to rent out the Heber Creeper train to bring children on for a Christmas adventure every year.
Rob Corcoran is the man behind this special day.
However, he said there are just too many kids who could use a good Christmas.
“We ran out of the Heber Creeper about two years ago,” Corcoran said.
So he and his helpers decided to choose a school to go to every year and bring Christmas magic to them.
The event, in its sixth year, went to Redwood Elementary School this year.
Corcoran also teamed up with WalMart, which donated $10,000 to the school, and Real Salt Lake, who had three players greet the children and give them high-fives as well as soccer equipment for the school.
“This is just something that I never actually seen probably in my life,” said third-grader Jay Jones.
It was a school day that will be one to remember.
“It’s magical,” Koehler said.
