RUFF boys share spirit of giving

Madison boys in RUFF roll in and carry boxes of Christmas gifts to first-graders at Morris Elementary School in Huntsville. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Boys in RUFF (Ready yoUrself For the Future) from Madison shared the true spirit of Christmas by showing that giving is more important than receiving.

For the third consecutive year, RUFF members presented Christmas gifts to first-graders at Morris Elementary school in Huntsville. The 126 first-graders received Christmas stockings with Barbie dolls, Matchbox race cars, assorted types of candy and a Teddy bear.

“My heart was filled with so much joy because this is the season to give rather than to receive,” RUFF founder Anthony Graham said. Graham teaches math at Discovery Middle School.

“I absolutely loved seeing the smile on a young child’s face when they hold a Barbie doll and say, ‘This is exactly what I wanted,’ or hear a young man say, ‘This race car is really cool,'” Graham said.

From all the positive comments, the favorite one for Graham came from a girl who peeked into her stocking and said, “Wow! How did you know I loved Snickers?”

“So many smiles, hugs, high fives and happy young ones,” Graham said. The Morris students received 75 Barbies, 450 race cars and 170 stockings from RUFF boys; Kay Jewelers contributed 136 Teddy bears.

Santa Claus adjusted his schedule to attend the gift-giving and was escorted by Morris Elementary School Principal Patty Boyd. The Discovery entourage visited each first-grade classroom to personally deliver the Christmas gifts, John Peck said. Peck is Public Relations Manager for Madison City Schools.

RUFF engenders leadership and lends support to boys with character-building activities and help from positive male role models. After organizing at Heritage Elementary School, RUFF groups have expanded across town.

For more information, email agraham@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit ruffleadership.org or Facebook/Ready yourself For the Future.