The 70 teachers and staff members at West Hartford’s Aiken Elementary School received a surprise gift of hand cream Thursday from a very grateful family.

A poem to accompany the gifts to teachers and staff at Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

An Aiken parent wanted to be sure that teachers – as well as paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, the principal, and everyone else who works at the West Hartford elementary school – knows how much they are are appreciated.

It’s traditional to give holiday gifts to express that appreciation, but with the uncertainty resulting from increasing COVID-19 infections amid the second wave of the pandemic, the Aiken parent wanted to be sure the opportunity wasn’t missed.

While West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore and other administrators are doing their best to keep schools open, it’s impossible to determine for sure whether or not schools will be able to remain open for in-person learning until closing for the holiday break on Dec. 23.

The parent, who asked to remain anonymous, decided to gift everyone now, with hand cream from L’Occitane at Westfarms. With a little bit of help from someone inside the school, the gifts were placed in everyone’s mailbox, accompanied by a poem noting that the gift was chosen because all of the hand washing and hand sanitizing everyone is doing daily may make their hands dry and sore.

Teachers and staff received their surprise gift Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

“Kristin, the manager at L’Occitane at Westfarms Mall, was so happy to help out” when told who the gift was for, the parent told We-Ha.com. “She gave me a discount and individually gift wrapped all 70 hand creams. It might not be hyperlocal, but supporting local retail is still important. If stores close, their employees lose their jobs and many are part of our community,” the parent said.

The gifts were ordered by phone (860 521-3310), and were able to be picked up curbside.

Kristin, the manager at L’Occitane at Westfarms, provided a discount and individually wrapped up the gifts for the teachers and staff at Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Keating Agency made a contribution and helped offset the cost of the gift. “You can always count on them to support our community,” the parent said.

“It’s just a small gesture to say thank you and let them know we appreciate all that they are doing, above and beyond, to keep our kids safe.”

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L’Occitane at Westfarms provided a discount and wrapped up the gifts for the teachers and staff at Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Surprise gifts await pick-up by teachers and staffs in their mailboxes on Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Teachers and staff received their surprise gift Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Teachers and staff received their surprise gift Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Teachers and staff received their surprise gift Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Teachers and staff received their surprise gift Thursday, Nov. 19, at. Aiken Elementary School. Courtesy photo