At Tecumseh Acres Early Learning Center, a beloved tradition is bringing the magic of winter to life, one snowman at a time!
For the fourth year in a row, students are turning their colorful snowman drawings into real, huggable creations, thanks to a heartwarming project started by former TPS Board of Education secretary Mary Tommelein.
Here’s how it works: Kindergarteners spend time decorating their own unique snowmen on paper, adding all the details their imaginations can dream up. What they don’t know is that a group of dedicated volunteers is secretly working behind the scenes to bring those designs to life! These volunteers carefully craft each student's snowman into a soft, three-dimensional version using polyester fiberfill (the same fluffy stuff found in pillows and stuffed animals).
The project is a true team effort. Kindergarten teachers Lindsey Saxton, Carrie Northrup, and Elizabeth Wilcoxen help guide their students through the creative process while volunteers from Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene and the Little Garden Club of Tecumseh spend hours stitching, stuffing, and assembling the snowmen.
The kids' faces say it all when the big reveal finally happens—pure joy and excitement! Thanks to the generosity of these volunteers and teachers, what starts as a simple classroom coloring activity transforms into a magical surprise, leaving students with a keepsake they’ll treasure all winter long.
Now that’s a snowman story worth celebrating!
