This elementary school teacher received several gifts and trinkets from her adoring students before winter break – but there was one gift in particular that melted her heart.
Rachel Uretsky-Pratt works as a teacher for the Kennewick School District in Washington. Before her students left for their holiday vacation, they showered her with little gifts of chocolates, jewelry, and handwritten notes.
The 24-year-old teacher’s most notable gift, however, was a small package of Lucky Charms marshmallows wrapped in plastic.
While repackaged cereal treats might seem like an unusual Christmas present, Uretsky-Pratt posted a photo of the marshmallows to Facebook in order to explain their significance.
LOOK: Sixth Grader Leaves a Note for Vehicle Owner After Seeing School Bus Driver Pull a Hit and Run
“You see, 100% of my school is on free/reduced lunch,” wrote Uretsky-Pratt. “They also get free breakfast at school every day of the school week.”
If you haven’t guessed already, the free breakfast that was served on the last day of school was Lucky Charms.
“This kiddo wanted to get me something so badly, but had nothing to give,” Uretsky-Pratt continued. “So rather than give me nothing, this student opened up her free breakfast cereal this morning, took the packaging of her spork, straw, and napkin, and finally took the time to take every marshmallow out of her cereal to put in a bag—for me.”
LOOK: When Teacher Asks Students to Share Supplies, Boy Offers Up Pencils With Sweet, Personal Messages
The school teacher hoped that the sweet story would help her social media followers gain some perspective and appreciation for the abundance that they may have in their lives – because even when this youngster had nothing to offer her teacher, she was still willing to sacrifice “the best part of her breakfast”.
“No one likes Lucky Charms without the marshmallows,” Uretsky-Pratt mused to USA Today.
The post ended up being shared over 100,000 times, which spurred hundreds of readers to offer up gifts and donations for the school teacher. Uretsky-Pratt later published a Facebook response in which she encouraged her followers to contact the school principal about making donations.
MORE: Watch Deaf Janitor’s Emotional Reaction to Children’s Birthday Surprise
“It makes me so proud of my kiddos that they have touched your hearts along with mine,” she wrote. “Your generosity in offering gifts for both the student and I, donations to our school, and our classroom have not gone unnoticed.”
“My wish for all of you is to remember this kind and simple gesture of love from one of my school babies and carry it with you and continue to spread love and kindness to everyone you meet – not just during this holiday season. ”
Be Sure And Share This Sweet Story Of Kindness With Your Friends On Social Media