While they can’t see their students in person, Panther Valley Elementary School staff made sure they know they’re thinking of them this holiday season.

On Friday, the school invited parents to pick up gifts, as well as a packet of work for students to complete while the district is in full remote learning. Right now in-person classes are on hold through the winter break.

“We want to make sure families are being taken care of, and that every kid had a Christmas present,” said Gabe Rosanelli, a Carbon Corps mentor at Panther Valley Elementary.

The school set up a drive-­thru in the cafeteria, handing gifts and schoolwork out to parents who pulled up outside the school building.

The gifts are part of the annual Holiday Hope Chest program, organized by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. Each year the organization’s volunteers assemble thousands of wrapped boxes filled with gifts like toys, games, crafts and gift cards. The items are different depending on the child’s age and gender.

The Volunteer Center receives requests for hope chests from nonprofits around the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

This year, the United Way applied on behalf of Panther Valley and Weatherly Elementary schools, which both have Carbon Corps mentors.

The United Way oversees the Carbon Corps program, which places mentors in local schools. The mentors are similar to counselors, meeting with students to provide help with any issues in school.

They also go beyond that. Last month, Rosanelli and fellow mentor Nicole Pollinger distributed Thanksgiving dinners and winter coats to families. The outreach events help create a connection with students and their families.

“They need to know that we’re here for them,” Rosanelli said.

They planned to distribute 515 gifts, one for each student at Panther Valley Elementary.

At the same time, the school also had to make sure students had worksheets they needed to supplement the online learning.

“We’re combining it with handing out the work they need,” said Robert Palazzo, Panther Valley Elementary School Principal.

Parents said that their kids would appreciate the gifts, and that they need the materials to continue their online learning.

Some students are enjoying online schooling, while many others miss their friends and teachers. But all students have benefited from the support of their teachers and staff while school buildings are closed, said Nicole Manfredi, a Panther Valley Elementary parent.

“They’re making it possible for us parents to get through it,” she said.