Many people know Jimmy Stickley as the marketing teacher. However, many more know him as the man who brings Christmas to life every December for tons of children in the town of Louisa, despite his own personal challenges, making him the community’s personal Santa Claus.  

“It’s just fun to do, you know,” Stickley said.  “I think the students really like doing [the toy drive].”

 Stickley has been teaching at the school for over 10 years. His class is interactive, keeping the students interested, while also allowing them to learn all the important aspects of marketing. 

“He keeps the class entertained and keeps everybody in on the conversation,” junior Christian Bradley said. 

Along with teaching, Stickley also helps out the community by running the annual toy drive for local children in need. It takes place throughout Nov. 24th to Dec. 5th. 

“He’s very passionate about what he does,” Bradley said. “He really cares about the kids that he donates all the toys to.” 

Stickley uses the toy drive not only to do good within the community, but to also teach using a hands-on project.

“It’s a great way to teach. I teach marketing, which is advertising, promotion, public relations, so what we do is exactly what I’m teaching about,” said Stickley, “It’s also always good to know that you’re helping out the community and the students.”

He has faced challenges throughout his 10 years of doing the toy drive at our school, but never has he ever planned on canceling the toy drive. Only once did Stickley consider canceling the toy drive.

“One year, I think it was during the pandemic, I was a virtual teacher because my wife’s dad had cancer, so we couldn’t be around students, and the year I had neck surgeries,” Stickley said,” I have had two since I’ve been here, and I think we [still] did one toy drive during that.”

Stickley has strived to give his students educational opportunities within his class while also giving back to the community.

 “I think just the feeling of happiness and the joy that I know other people will have when they get those toys, whether it be before Christmas or during Christmas, makes it all worth it,” Stickley said.