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Students at St. Louis School get special treat from Houston lawyer

by Meghan McDermott
Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
http://www.cbs19.tv/Global/story.asp?S=11683236

TYLER (KYTX) - Here's a story that will warm your heart - the generosity of one man is brightening the Christmas of some children in need. CBS 19's Meghan McDermott takes us there.

"We drove up in the parking lot-- my students said, 'There's Target'. They're really excited to get to come and shop and pick out all their stuff that they want," said teacher Jennifer Ferrell.

Students from the St. Louis school in Tyler received a very special holiday treat.

"It's just a great opportunity to allow them the freedom to make some choices on their own and the money to do it," said principal Karyn Hacker. 

The shopping spree was compliments of Steve Mostyn, a Houston attorney with a special connection to the school.

"His mother actually used to work at St. Louis school years ago. She worked for about 12 years as a teacher's assistant, and she passed away several years ago from cancer."

"We do a preview of what we're going to be shopping for," said Farrell.

Hacker says the shopping trip is more than fun - it's educational.

"They work on making choices. They bring their voice output devices, so if they want pink or purple they get to choose that, rather than have somebody hand them something."

Each child has a $50 budget to fulfill their Christmas wish list. Ferrell calls it a blessing.

"This is truly gracious of Mr. Mostyn to do this for our students and I know our parents are super grateful," said Ferrell.

The Mostyn-Moreno Foundation supports similar holiday shopping sprees for a handful of East Texas schools, including schools in Tyler and Jacksonville.

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