University High Students Deck Halls Of Hillcrest Children's Ward - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

University High Students Deck Halls Of Hillcrest Children's Ward

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Some local high school students double-checked today to make sure Santa didn't leave anyone out.

They visited sick kids at Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco, bringing them presents and some much needed Christmas cheer.

A knock at the door and a furry, stuffed animal made the holidays a little bit brighter and a lot warmer for Jennifer Coffman.

Her 4-month old daughter Maycee has breathing problems, but though they're spending their first Christmas Eve together in the hospital, the community has shown them that they're not alone.

"Oh, it's amazing, Santa came, the churches came, students came, and I just cried my eyes out. It just touches my heart," said Jennifer.

It's all thanks to University High School soccer players who went door to door, bringing presents to kids who might not be home when Santa brings them their other gifts.

And knowing they made a difference was a gift in and of itself for the students.

"Nobody wants to be in the hospital, especially on Christmas, so it just brings a smile to the other people and yourselves," said Josefina Tovila, a high school senior.

Her classmate Michael Solis said, "When you see every little kid's face, their smile makes you get happy."

Behind closed hospital doors is not exactly how Jennifer and Maycee expected to spend their Christmas Eve, but it's one Jennifer says she'll never forget.

She said, "When she gets older, the story is going to be that Santa flew in from the North Pole, just to see her in the hospital. That's our story, and we're sticking to it."

And she has the teddy bear to prove it.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford

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