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Christmas came early for over 300 students at St. Ann Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton Friday. Students were given backpacks filled with toys that had been donated through the annual McKeil School of Business Toy Drive.

One-by-one, students from junior kindergarten to grade 8 at St.Ann’s burst into the school’s gymnasium for a very special assembly.

Surrounding them were 320 backpacks filled with toys. The students were both anxious and excited for their gifts.

“I’m just hoping to get a backpack filled with Lalaloopsy things, so I’m hoping to get a Lalaloopsy pony inside.”

This was the second year in a row that Mohawk College and St. Ann partnered up for a toy drive.

With the help of volunteer elves, backpacks were handed out to students grade-by-grade.

“I got this thing, with four lego guys, there is four cars and you got to make the cars.”

“They are being really generous and this isn’t one of the richest schools here, so it was really nice to get presents from strangers to spend the Christmas joy.”

Toys ranged from stuffed animals and Nerf guns to make-up kits and Lego.

Lisa St.Aubin, St. Ann Catholic Elementary School: “The looks on their faces were amazing, smiles from ear to ear. They were so grateful for the gifts that were donated and the look of surprise. It was like Christmas morning for them opening up the toys.

Thanks to the generosity of students and faculty members at Mohawk College, organizers were able to raise over 13 thousand dollars.

The holiday season is a joyous occasion, but it can also be a tough time for some families financially.

Wayne Aubert, Mohawk College: “The school said you know we got kids that this will be the only thing they get. This is the only thing they get this year. It’s not that their family don’t want to. It is just they can’t afford much else. We make sure that the stuff we get in their hands are brand name, nice quality, and brand new.

The students at St. Ann weren’t they only ones getting gifts today. Teachers also got bins like these filled with puzzles, games and toys to use in the classroom.

Normally teachers would pay for games like these out of their own pocket, but organizers wanted to make sure everyone in the gymnasium went home with something.

Today’s assembly is just one example of how the holiday season is all about giving.

“The fact that people thought about us, and said we should give these presents to this school, we just find it so amazing.”

After seeing the reactions of the students today, organizers say they plan to make next year’s drive even bigger.