Christmas Miracle: Chester Elf Pays off Menlo Students Lunchroom Debt

Chester Elf then arranged for a package to be delivered to Menlo School and provided the tracking number to Ms. Buice.

The small box arrived on Thursday, inside was $7,000.00. $2,000 to pay off the student’s lunchroom debt and $200 for each of the 20 teachers for their classrooms and $1,000 for Ms. Buice to use as needed for the school.

“I was speechless… I believe everyone in the office was crying tears of joy.”

Ms. Buice emailed the following message to Chester Elf after the arrival of the $7,000.00 donation.

Dear Chester,

The package has arrived! I can’t believe what we found inside! Thank you from all the staff and students at MES!

To highlight the acceptance of the package, I would like you to envision the office staff of ladies and our resource officer standing around anxiously awaiting for me to open the box. As I opened it, and we discovered the tremendous gift you sent, I believe all of us were crying tears of joy. I can’t ever express to you our gratitude.

I announced to the teachers that Chester the Elf and Santa had sent a special gift today and also took care of all the students’ lunch charges. They were elated! The generous gift will help them greatly, and if you have been around educators, you know that the money will be spent on their students. I have a tremendous staff at MES and they give of themselves daily (their attention, their energy, their money, their spirit) to our students. The envelope provided for me, the principal, will be utilized to buy Christmas for some of our students whose families are struggling this Christmas. The lunchroom director was astounded as I told her that the lunch charges were wiped away for our little ones! The monetary gifts will be put to great use to benefit our students at MES.

This is the list of our fine educators that also want to thank you and would love to do so in person should you ever travel to Menlo, GA….

PreK – Becca

Kindergarten – Kathy and Virginia

1st grade – Claudia and Jessica

2nd grade – Heather and Jennie

3rd Grade – LeAnne and Kelsey

4th Grade – Ashley and Christie

5th Grade – Natalie and Deb

6th Grade – Derek and Amanda

7th Grade – Chris and Elizabeth

8th Grade – Lacey and Abigail

Support Teachers – Peggy, Rhonda, Cissy, Wade and Lauren

Thank you again for sharing the Christmas spirit and reviving the childlike belief in miracles!

Merry Christmas,

Paula Buice

So who is Chester Elf? 

Chester Elf, is simply a helper of Santa who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, who wishes to remain anonymous. He had spent Thanksgiving in St. Louis with the Lutz family. Natalie Lutz, a teacher at Menlo, was there visiting her family. Chester Elf instantly recognized her passion for her school and decided to he wanted to help out.

Chester Elf stopped by Menlo School on Friday, and delivered several St. Louis Gooey Butter Cakes to the staff. Chester wanted to share the recipe with everyone and hopes this holiday season you too will believe in the magic of Christmas.