Christmas came early to

Open Door School and local nursing homes.

Local Avon representatives experienced the joy of being Santa's helpers by delivering puppy dog stuffed animals Monday.

"The representatives got donations from businesses to help provide a happy Christmas for these kids and seniors," Avon Representative Sharon Smith said. "It is a wonderful experience. Most of the time the kids will give you a hug. It is the hugs that are rewarding."

Eleven-year-old Jessica Wilson's eyes lit up as she received her black and tan plush toy, Peanut the Floppy Puppy.

"We love them," she said. "I will put it on my bed. I have lots of stuffed animals."

The ladies donated 33 puppies to the four classrooms of the youngest students in the school -- most from ages 6 to 11. Principal Jeff Saunders said it is priceless to see how much this means to these children.

"One of the main goals of our school is to get these kids involved in the community," he said.

"For some of these kids, I am not sure how much of a Christmas they would have if they did not receive these things.

"We are very grateful to be a part of it. When they hug those puppies, it gives you that warm feeling of Christmas."

Ashley Hawthorne, 15, said she cannot wait to take her new puppy home.

"It is very soft," she said. "It is just cuddly, and I like his bow."

Although she already has a real dog, Smoky, Hawthorne said she does not think he would be jealous.

The program began four years ago, and has grown each year. About 15 Avon representatives from Lawrence, Scioto and Gallia counties and Tammy Ganot, the district manager, made the project possible.

In addition to the 33 stuffed animals donated to Open Door,

more than 250 were given to area health care providers and nursing homes and 215 to the Lawrence County Head Start.

While this year has been the most successful, the Avon representatives are not content to stop now, and will begin working on next year's donations as soon as these are all delivered, Smith said.