Woodson Elementary teacher collects over 1,000 Christmas gifts for students

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago Public Schools teacher was determined to give her students a merry Christmas, and with the help of donors she did.

Woodson Elementary teacher Laura Quering said in the past companies would donate gifts to school students, but since that wasn't an option this year she took to social media.

The teacher at the Chicago Public School in Bronzeville posted a call for toy donations for students at her school on Facebook. Donors came through big time, fulfilling at least part of all 315 Woodson students' wish lists, and more.

"I got a Black Panther mask and it can light up!" exclaimed Jaden Norwood.

In the magically transformed gym, Santa delivered loads of individually sponsored, carefully curated Christmas gifts.

"These kids got bikes and video games and everything they wished for, and it was unbelievable to see," Quering said.

For the second grade teacher, it was a dream come true.

"I wanted the children to have a magical Christmas. I wanted them to have the Christmas that I had when I was a kid, and these kids sometimes come from unfortunate circumstances they can't control," she said. "I wanted them to just be kids for the day."

Quering estimates more than 1,000 gifts were donated. She gave the extra gifts to students at several other nearby schools.