Elementary School Children Give Big for Christmas Toy Drive

DULUTH, Minn. - Students at a Duluth elementary school exceeded everyone's expectations during their holiday toy drive for the Salvation Army. 

At North Star Academy, this month's theme is "compassion."

Students are learning what it means to give back to those who need help.

Their teachers gave them a goal of 150 toys for this year's Salvation Army toy drive.

The most they'd ever collected on a toy drive like this was a little more than 200.

But this year, the kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classes collected 384 toys.

North Star teachers say they were overjoyed that the students were able to give so much.

"I'm just so proud of them. To show compassion to people in our community, to come together and say we do this because it's the right thing to do. I'm just very very proud of them," said K-2 Academy Director, Tammy Rackliffe.

For beating their initial goal, the kids at North Star won the opportunity to color Mrs. Rackliffe's hair.

They also won a free casual dress day.