This holiday season, The Daisie Foundation partnered with Meijer and several other sponsors to surprise more than 400 students and 80 teachers and staffers at Deneen School of Excellence on Chicago’s southside. It was the sixth annual Holiday Magic extravaganza we’ve thrown for a special Chicago school. The event was hosted by Anthony “Spice” Adams, former Chicago Bears player and TV host. Students at Deneen received a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who brought along their helper elves to pass out gifts to kids, as well as lunch from Panera, and a holiday-themed dance party! The school also received a generous donation.

By surprising our Chicago students with a holiday initiative, we hope to spread kindness and provide a little extra light during the holiday season. Here’s what Principal Karla Kemp of Deneen School of Excellence had to say about the event:

“The students entered into the doorways of the assemblies with faces of awe and surprise as they were greeted by a long line of festively dressed volunteers cheering them on, giving high fives, and dancing to the lively music. The day was beyond what we could have imagined and now will always be a momentous event for the lives of our students and teachers.”

The Daisie Foundation would like to thank our generous sponsors who helped make this event possible, including Meijer, ComEd, Shiraleah, Chicago Liposuction by Lift Body Center, Lifeway Foods, Molina Healthcare, Benefit Cosmetics, Women’s Bar Association of IL, Penske, ROW 24, Abbvie, Daisie Project, Raising Canes, and Art of Imagination.