Joe Malinconico

Paterson Press

PATERSON — Santa usually takes a few days off after Christmas. So will Jennifer Olawski, the Paterson teacher who bought holiday gifts for 500 students using money she raised through a GoFundMe website.

After distributing the gifts at Community Charter School of Paterson on Monday, Olawski said some parents began offering donations toward next year's effort. She is now taking contributions for next year on her page at GoFundMe.com/500presents500smiles.

In its second year, Olawski's initiative almost doubled the amount in donations compared with 2016, she said. That generosity, she said, allowed her to increase the number of gifts she was able to distribute on Monday.

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For example, in addition to a toy for each child at the school, she bought winter hats and gloves for them.

In too many instances, Olawski said, she has seen students come to school on bitter-cold days with their faces and hands uncovered. In fact, one fourth-grader on Monday tried on the gloves Olawski gave him even before he examined his Nickolodeon Slime Kit. The boy said he didn't have another pair.

Olawski, who has been teaching at the charter school for five years, said she's not sure exactly what she will do next year.

"Bigger and better," she promised.