Lester Park Elementary students donned Santa hats and brought gifts, homemade ornaments, and little Christmas trees for patients at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s and St. Luke’s Hospital on Thursday December 19th.

It’s an annual tradition by Lester Park Elementary called The Giving Tree Project. The tradition started 22 years ago.

“So, our Giving Tree project at Lester Park started about 22 years ago,” said Adelle Wellens Communications Officer for Duluth Public Schools. “We had a student whose brother was severely injured around the holidays, and he came and visited his brother and noticed that there were other people staying at the hospital over the holidays and wanted to do something for them as well. ”

Lester Park Elementary students encouraged students to do some extra chores or helpful activities at home or in the community to earn a little extra money that they could donate for the gifts.

The aim is to teach the importance of helpful acts.