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Facebook Appeal Draws Team Of 'Elves' To Bring Holiday Spirit To Kids In Need

LONG BEACH (CBS) — With a little help from social networking, 156 kids at a Long Beach Catholic school received Christmas presents Friday, some for the first time.

First-grade teacher Renee Stoeckle posted a note on Facebook titled, "Elves Wanted," asking for helpers to distribute toys and books to her students.

"Within 24 hours, I had over 80 people responding. All I needed was one toy and one book for each kid in first grade, which is 20," Stoeckle said.

But with such an overwhelming response, enough toys and books came in to provide gifts for all 156 students at St. Athanasius Catholic School, which primarily serves low-income families. According to the school, 118 "elves" from 21 states offered their help.

As a result every student in kindergarten through fourth grade received a toy and a book. Students in fifth through eighth grades each received a book.

Stoeckle said the online effort, which was dubbed "Project Elf," began when a student named Anthony said he didn't expect any gifts this year.

"Anthony had mentioned to me, `Santa probably won't come to my house  this year. There's a lot of kids this year and I just don't know if he's going to make it to my house."

As for the unexpected response, Stoeckle said she was overwhelmed.

"None of the elves have ever met these students," she said. "I am amazed and thrilled at the generosity of my friends, family and people who I do not even know to help these kids celebrate Christmas."

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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