Carrying on a longtime teacher's legacy by helping Norton Children's Hospital

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Days before Thanksgiving, students are already getting in the spirit of Christmas.

The halls at Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School, located at 2700 Browns Lane, were lined with toys outside of classrooms on Friday morning.

Soon, they would be collected by fourth graders and placed in boxes inside of Ms. Dana Sanders' fourth grade classroom.

"This is 612 students' passions," Sanders said.

Behind the bags and boxes was someone known most for stealing Christmas — the Grinch. The holiday classic is the inspiration behind this year's theme for the annual Greathouse tree.

The tree and donated items will be included in Saturday night's auction at the Snow Ball, which benefits Norton Children's Hospital.

"It's just making sure that we're giving back to the community and what a better place to give back to than Norton Children's," Sanders said.

The toy drive was started, and championed, by Sanders' friend, Susan Moore. Susan Moore was a teacher for more than 40 years, and finished her career at Greathouse.

Susan Moore passed away in 2021, just a few years after retiring.

"She was the most energetic person you ever met," Susan Moore's daughter, Jessica Moore, said. "Truly this was just the spirit and part of who she was. She really wanted to educate the entire student, and that's how she educated me."

Jessica Moore is a district judge who was a lifelong witness of the good works her mother did, and the joy she brought.

"It's a beautiful tribute to her legacy," Jessica Moore said. "And if her memory and her legacy is that she has helped children learn to do that for other people to me, that means everything."

Moore's sister, Lynnie Meyer, is the chief development officer at Norton Healthcare. Meyer said the toy drive truly took on a life of its own. Over the years, principals and elected officials have taken part.

One time, the Greatest himself, Muhammad Ali, visited her school.

"And when I think about Susan's legacy, and I think about the work of all of these students over the last 40 years," Meyer said. "Gratitude, gratitude, has to be the word of the day."

The children eventually brought all the boxes of toys to a van that will be unloaded at the Omni Louisville Hotel, site of Saturday's Snow Ball.

Sanders has one decoration she will hide within the Grinch-themed branches — a cardinal dedicated to Susan Moore.

"And one of the stories about the cardinal bird is that if you see one on Christmas day, you know that an angel is watching and guiding your way," Sanders said. "So that everyone knows Susan is looking over them."

The Snow Ball is sold out, but there are still tickets available for "Dance Only," which will also let you participate in the auction. For more information, click here.

To bid on the tree and presents from home, click here.