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Every student at Wilson Elementary School in Janesville can get special presents from Santa at the Janesville Community Center this weekend.

Father Earl Sias organized the giveaway with school principal Ashley Wright to give all 176 kids a voucher they can redeem for their free gifts Saturday morning starting at 10:00 at the community center in the former St. Patrick’s school on Lincoln Street.

Wright said the pandemic prevented the school from holding its annual holiday events, so she partnered with Sias and the community center to collect donations to give to the kids.

The reverend said the gift bags for kids will include something to play with, something to eat, something to read and something to wear.

Forward Janesville will also be involved in the event, contributing donations it collected through its “Undercover Agent” program.

Area businesses and individuals purchased new socks and underwear for kids who often come to school with old, ill-fitting, and worn-out undergarments.

Marketing coordinator Jenny Tschudy said they collected over 2,000 items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste donated by Haye Dental Group and treats from Chambers & Owen Wholesale.

Sias and Wright both expressed gratitude for the strong community support for local children in need.

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