When you're a kid, Christmas just kind of happens.
Santa does his thing and that's all you need to know.
but grown ups know a lot of planning and work goes into that Christmas magic!
Tonight we honor a woman whose efforts at Christmas are just a small part of what she does every day of the year, to help some special kids, reach their highest potential. Carla Malone is our hometown hero.
For students at Ponderosa Elementary School, nickels and dimes add up to priceless time spent with a tirelessly dedicated teacher.
You might have seen Carla Malone on TV before, because she's often in the background when WSAZ has featured what sets apart this program for children with autism.
It's a privilege she takes far beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. Three years ago Carla went looking for help in throwing a big Christmas party for her students.
She asked members of the motorcycle group "Brothers of the Wheel" and they took the idea and rode with it. In the years since, they've brought piles of presents every Christmas but the truth is they wouldn't be here, wouldn't know the gift they get from these kids if it weren't for Carla.
Carla said “it’s very humbling really because it's a privilege to work with them. They're heroes to me. The struggles they go through every day. The hurdles they jump over just in life.