Local Businesses Donate Gift Cards To Teachers

Thousands of teachers and school workers are getting a big surprise this Christmas season! Through what is called the "Cheer project" they all received gift cards worth $145 each. 

Local businesses donated $5 million worth of gift cards that are now being handed out at schools all across the area.

At Edmond's Heartland Middle School, Principal Jason Galloway spent the morning spreading Christmas cheer to everyone from cafeteria workers to science teachers to school counselors.

“Education doesn’t come with a lot of monetary perks so to get some along the way is really a great thing,” said Galloway.

This all started with Huntington Jewelers.

“God just laid this on our heart,” said owners Lisa and Lance Smith.

The couple donated $100 gift cards to every teacher in more than 80 districts. Stone Sisters Pizza and Urban Teahouse then also donated gift cards as well.

“All of us have teachers in our lives that have been important to us and made a difference we wanted to share that with the community,” said Lance Smith.

Oklahoma City teachers, including Allie Bussey who teaches first grade at Quail Creek Elementary, got their cards last week.

“We were just all excited, it made our day that we were able to come shopping here at the jewelry store that we wouldn’t normally be able to buy for ourselves,” said Bussey.

And Wednesday, she was able to add a little more sparkle to her holiday.

“This has got to be one of the best things that has happened to me as a teacher in a very long time,” said Bussey.

The gift cards were handed out to 500 schools across the area from December 13-21.