A Lesson in Giving

Jessica Ekstein knows it’s the right thing to do.

The 6-year-old West Los Angeles girl said she knows it’s right to forgo her own gifts this year to ensure that less fortunate kids get something for Christmas. But looking over the heap of presents she helped wrap and bring to a Montebello elementary school Monday, Jessica admitted that “it’s hard.”

Not as hard as going without a gift every Christmas, Jessica’s mother, Laurie Ekstein, 43, reminded her.

A Thanksgiving story in The Times about Pete Villescas, a Fremont Elementary School teacher who organized an annual turkey-and-all-the-trimmings luncheon for his needy students, inspired many people to call or write the school with kind words.

But Ekstein’s mother-in-law, Ruth, was so moved by the the teacher’s largess and the students’ need that she persuaded the rest of her six-member clan to purchase presents for Villescas’ third- and fourth-grade students instead of buying gifts for each other.

“It is so incredible that they would do this,” Villescas said, as touched by the Westside family as they were by him. Keeping the donated gifts secret for at least a week, Villescas gave his students no warning that Monday, after nutrition, Santa Claus in the form of a tie-dye-clad Jewish woman would slide through their classroom door.

So as Villescas, Ekstein and Jessica wheeled in a cart stacked with brightly wrapped toys, 33 little jaws dropped.

“Whoa!” they all said, taking in the moment before rushing at their teacher with hugs and grateful smiles. “Mr. V, you’re the greatest!”

Cristal Casteneda, 8, who is missing her front teeth but not her ability to express her shock, whispered, “Pinch me if I’m dreaming.”

After receiving the class’ signature “20-second standing ovation” that Villescas said he wanted “to hear from here to Riverside,” Ekstein and Jessica randomly passed out the gifts, one per student, wrapped to indicate if they were for boys or girls.

The children tore into their candy cane and teddy bear wrapping paper, and Jessica wandered around the room--looking for a vicarious thrill and, perhaps, some resolution.

“Pound Puppies,” she mumbled repeatedly, searching for the lucky girl who would get the one stuffed delight that Jessica said she had a tough time giving up. “Pound Puppies.”

Many of the gifts were arts-and-crafts-oriented, though some kids received balls, board games and dolls.

“We don’t have a Christmas tree this year,” said one 9-year-old girl, whose eyes glowed as she unwrapped a jewelry-making kit. During the class’ Thanksgiving banquet, the girl’s mother said the feast would have to suffice for that holiday and Christmas morning. “It’s nice that [Ekstein] cared a lot,” the girl said. “She cared to buy me something.”

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Seizing the educational opportunity, Principal Art Revueltas told the grateful students, “These acts of kindness never stop happening. Today you should go out and be kind to someone too.”

They will, Villescas assured him. “These are good kids” who have picked up quickly the importance of altruism, he said.

Looking for her beloved Pound Puppies, Jessica paused to take a picture of Cristal’s toothless grin as the third-grader unwrapped her new Jewelry Hair Mermaid Barbie.

“I learned that giving is a part of life,” said Cristal, who added that she has been amazed by the hearty Thanksgiving luncheon and Christmas surprise. “But the best part of life is toys and my mother.”

Jessica will second that. After making her way through the paper-strewn rows of desks and examining each student’s gift, the little girl had an enchanting epiphany.

“No one got the Pound Puppy,” she said, smiling brightly at her mother as she unraveled Ekstein’s “surprise.”

“I guess I get to have one!”