COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the last 6 years, Tracey Ash has been helping provide Christmas gifts for students in need at Columbus City schools.
The boxes are filled with clothes, accessories, gift cards and toiletries. The gifts are made possible by donations from the community. This year, 40 students at Centennial High School were given a Christmas box.
Ash started the gift-giving after her son was bullied in high school.
“When he was in high school he was bullied an awful lot for his clothes, his shoes. I didn’t understand it but he would come home crying,” said Ash.
Ash said when her son graduated, she felt it became her calling to give to students who may be in need.
“I vowed to him I would never want another kid to feel like my son did or a mother to feel like I did,” said Ash.
Ash hopes the boxes make the students feel special.
“Loved, cared about by their community. Not lost in the shuffle,” she said.
This year, Ash got to meet the students who were receiving the boxes. It was fulfilling for her to meet the kids she had been shopping for.
“I just have no words. It just touches my heart in a deeply personal way,” said Ash.
The students were thankful that Ash delivered the gifts.
“Nobody ever really gave me nothing. So it feels good to be like 'oh okay someone wants to give me something',” said Elise Shedwick, a 12th grader at Centennial High School.
The kids said Ash’s generosity made them feel special.
“She has a big heart, she’s a loving lady. She cares for everyone,” said Arean Wright, a 12th grader at Centennial High School.