AID TOWNSHIP — For 51 students and their families at Symmes Valley Elementary, Christmas is just a little bit brighter and warmer, thanks to Emily Douglas and Grandma’s Gifts.

Emily Douglas is the 29- year old founder of the charitable organization “Grandma’s Gifts,” a Columbus organization specifically designed to help families in seven Appalachian states.  Recently Emily brought more than 100

boxes of toys, blankets, and new coats to needy students at Symmes Valley Elementary.

Emily receives donations from all over the country including Toys for Tots, Americans Helping Americans, and Franklin County organizations for distribution.

Emily has worked with Symmes Valley Elementary and other schools, groups, and churches in southern and central Ohio for more than 18 years. She started her charitable work when she was 11 years old with her grandmother, Norma Atkinson, who lived in Ironton.

Emily said she went with her Grandma to deliver food, bicycles, toys, and clothes to kids in the country even when her grandparents barely had enough of the necessities themselves.  Atkinison died in 1991 and Emily has carried on the giving since then in her grandma’s memory.

Pam Lang, a second grade teacher at Symmes Valley, is most responsible for bringing Emily to Symmes Valley. Pam met Emily several years ago and they became

friends.

For the last few years, Emily has provided Golden Books for all first graders at Symmes Valley, 50 vouchers for turkeys at Thanksgiving to families in need, and has sponsored COSI on Wheels to the school, and trips to the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium for second grade students.

“If I’ve ever needed anything, Emily has been there for us,” Lang said. “I just ask and she helps.  She even went to the zoo with us.  It’s just unreal that someone this young has done so much for so many.”

Douglas said her work is meant to honor a grandmother she loved. “It’s exciting and Grandma would love it,” she said.

The donations from Grandma’s Gifts required many hands and much work. School guidance counselor Pat Oliver helped unload and organize all the boxes

and distribute all the boxes and toys to the many families. With help from Monica Cribbs, the elementary school secretary, Oliver provided names of families to the organization. After helping unload all the boxes and bags of toys, a parent tearfully hugged Emily and said, “Without this from Emily, my kids wouldn’t have Christmas. I’m so grateful.”

Douglas also donated items to the Ironton and Lawrence County health departments and to the New

Jerusalem Christian Church. For more about Emily’s charity, check out www.grandmasgifts.org.