Students, teacher in N.S. play Santa role for those in need [Video]

GLACE BAY, N.S. –

For more than a quarter-century, Lisa Roach’s middle school students have been playing the role of Santa Claus to strangers during the holidays.

“It is a tradition for 26 years – my favourite tradition,” said the teacher of 35 years.

The Adopt-A-Family idea started out as a class project at the former St. Michael’s Junior High in Glace Bay, N.S.

The annual tradition didn’t miss a beat when everyone moved to a new school at Oceanview Education Centre.

Over the years, the program has become almost completely student-run.   

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“The students do the fundraising. The students do the budgeting. The students do the shopping,” Roach said. “The students do the bagging and preparing. The only thing the students do not do is the interview process, because confidentiality is key to this program.”

This year, there have been more than …