A teacher has shared a heartbreaking letter one of her students wrote to Santa Claus, asking for food, a ball and a blanket as Christmas presents.
Ruth Espiricueta, who works in Edinburg, Texas, took to Facebook recently to share the message penned by Crystal Pacheco, a first grader at Monte Cristo Elementary.
The little girl wrote the letter as part of an assignment during which children were prompted to tell Santa what they needed and wanted to receive this year.
Student: Crystal Pacheco, a first grader at Monte Cristo Elementary in Edinburg, Texas, wrote a heartbreaking letter to Santa Claus asking for necessities
Message: The girl wrote the letter (pictured) as part of an assignment during which students were prompted to tell Santa what they want and need for Christmas this year
‘Dear Santa Claus,’ the missive begins. ‘I have binde [sic] good this day. This Christmas I would like a ball and a food. I need a blanket.’
After reading Crystal’s letter, the teacher shared it on Facebook, explaining it broke her heart and made her realize some of her students live in dire conditions.
‘This makes me very sad,’ she wrote in her post. ‘When your students ask for food, blankets, or a bed instead of toys.
‘As a teacher it breaks my heart when I hear them ask for things that we sometimes take for granted. Hopefully I will be able to fulfill at least one of their Christmas wishes.’
Espiricueta told KRGV she felt especially saddened by the fact that Crystal had asked for a blanket.
‘When she asked for a blanket it just broke my heart and it made me realize that some of these kids don’t have anything to stay warm at night,’ the teacher said. ‘Or they sleep on the floor.’
Sharing: Crystal’s mother (right), Maria Isabel Cortez, explained that her daughter had her family in mind when she asked for the items
Opening up: After reading Crystal’s letter, her teacher Ruth Espiricueta (pictured) shared it on Facebook, explaining it made her realize some of her students live in dire conditions
Donations: When Crystal’s letter went public, the school decided to set up a blanket drive and has so far received hundreds of blankets for its students
Crystal’s mother, Maria Isabel Cortez, explained that her daughter had her family in mind when she asked for the items.
‘She wrote the card thinking about her brother, she said she wanted the ball to play with him, food to have food at the house and a blanket because the house is too cold,’ Cortez said.
After Crystal’s letter went public, the school decided to set up a blanket drive and began to receive donations. People have brought hundreds of blankets, and Monte Cristo Elementary has so far received more than 600 out of a goal of 724.
Espiricueta shared another update on Facebook, sharing Crystal’s joy at the thought that her friends, too, will be getting their own blankets.
‘Thank you to everyone that has been donating to our school,’ the teacher wrote.
‘Our students will be able to stay warm during these cold nights. I am so happy for Crystal and her family. She is happy her friends will also be receiving a blanket.
‘Our students have many needs but it’s amazing to see people coming together to help them. Thank you! May God Bless you and Merry Christmas.’